Growing Cucumber

cucumis sativis : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S S S S S          
      T T T T T T      
      P P P P P        

(Best months for growing Cucumber in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 61°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-10 weeks. Cut fruit off with scissors or sharp knife.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Nasturtiums, Beans, Celery, Lettuce, Sweet Corn, Cabbages, Sunflowers, Coriander, Fennel, Dill, Sunflowers
  • Avoid growing close to: Potato, Tomatoes

Your comments and tips

19 Nov 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The first leaves that come out of the seed are called cotyledons. The next set of leaves are call the first set of true leaves, these can take a few days (6-10) to appear. You may need to look at do you have good rich soil, do you water regularly, do they receive plenty of sunlight.
25 Jan 21, Glenys Smith (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I had planted Lebanese cucumber and only got 2 cucumbers then the plant got riddled in grubs have since planted some more and wondering what I can do to prevent it happening again. I hate using chemicals if I can help it
27 Jan 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
Look up an organic spray on the net. Most things in nature breeds around rainfall - birds, weeds, insects etc.
12 Oct 20, kim (Australia - tropical climate)
What is the difference between bush and lebonese cucumbers.
28 Dec 21, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
One needs a trellis and the other not. So a bush variety grows in a small space and the vine variety sprawls on the ground or you can use a trellis for vertical growing.
25 Apr 20, Alex (Australia - arid climate)
Hi have some Lebanese cucumber plants that were growing very well and fruit more than I could use, The last month or so the older leaves have yellowed and the new growth is tending to cluster including the flowers and look dwarf like. It is still fruiting but not much. Any ideas? Thank you.
27 Apr 20, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My guess is it is coming to the end of its life. Sometimes you have two or three flushes of flowers and fruit and then that is about it. It has taken a lot of nutrient from the soil and there isn't much left to support the plant. The leaves start dying and that is the end of it's life cycle.
17 Apr 20, Daniella (Australia - temperate climate)
2 little cucumber plants is growing now as we're in authum please advice me if I can grow the plants outdoor in a pot? Thanks a million Daniella
20 Apr 20, (Australia - temperate climate)
Read when to plant in the temperate climate.
28 Mar 20, Denise (Australia - tropical climate)
My question is can you grow lebanese cucumber in large pot in a hot house
Showing 31 - 40 of 387 comments

If you have TRUE high humidity: humidex above 95% consistently -- then you have a real issue. If you have a "created" high humidity situation: like a poorly ventilated greenhouse; then correcting the ventilation will fix things. You can create an updraft by placing a screened window/door very close to ground level (or the lowest level that opens to fresh air) and then furthest and highest away from this point another screened window (on the ceiling/roof, or very high on the wall). So if you have a door on the North/East Bottom. the window goes on the South/West Top. When both of the windows are open, you should get a nice updraft that will whisk away all your humidity. It is best to situate the ground level door/window in a shady spot -- because this will be cooler air, and as this comes in it will force the hot/humid air up and out. There are also green house fans that can be installed (but if you do your updraft correctly you will probably not need one) ; and if you are fully indoors even a dehumidifier might work. If you are in a garden setting like the situation above; I think perhaps the cucumber created a roof that was helping hold in the moisture. In this case prune the cucumber to increase airflow. Things like fences can hold moisture; for example if you have a garden between two houses and there is a wood picket fence; this could impede the flow of air, and cause humidity to build up. The answer will ALMOST always be to increase air flow. If this is a true climate issue then you should select what you are growing with care, choosing plants that can tolerate high humidity; and still trying to situate your plants/garden in such a way that air flows freely. I have an allotment, that has "dense" fencing on two sides (I am in the back corner) and I can feel that I have an extra humid situation. I have found that runner beans do well; once they climb higher than fence level, they get a lot of air flow and do nicely. As far a hydroponics; I am not well versed enough to even begin guessing at the issues that may exist in these environments. Just remember that even when the humidex is NOT high, plants still need the airflow to move what they have transpired away from their leaves.

- Celeste Archer

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.