I was once guilty of it too- I thought I couldn’t grow cucumbers because I didn’t have a large piece of ground to plant them in. But I was wrong; with a little bit of smart planning, the right tools, and a little bit of knowledge, cucumbers make a fantastic container crop.
In this blog post, I’ll share all that I’ve learned about how to grow cucumbers in pots, including which varieties to choose, what kind of containers work best, the right soil, and care tips for a bumper harvest. You’ll also learn which issues you might encounter and how to prevent or address the problem.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Growing Cucumbers in Pots: Quick Overview
- Choose the right cucumber variety for your container garden; compact bush varieties work best, and vining varieties can also work with a proper trellis system.
- Choose a pot with plenty of pre-made drainage holes and at least 5 gallons in capacity.
- Follow a consistent fertilization schedule, water and prune regularly, and use trellis/support systems to maximize yield.
- Cucumber beetles, aphids, powdery mildew, and cucumber mosaic virus are some potential problems.
Best Cucumber Varieties for Container Growing
The first step to successfully growing cucumbers in pots is selecting the right variety. There are two main categories of cucumber plants:
- Bush varieties
- Vining varieties
Let’s delve deeper into these different varieties and find out which ones are best suited for your container garden.
Compact Bush Cucumber Varieties
Bush cucumbers were bred to grow in smaller gardens and containers. These plants don’t produce long, trailing vines- instead, they have a more rounded, bush-like shape. In my experience, bush cucumbers are perfect for large pots and raised beds.
Some bush varieties can get up to 36 inches in width, so if you have a small container garden, stick to the compact varieties.
The ‘Spacemaster’ variety is my personal favorite for container growing.
‘Bush Champion,’ ‘Parks Bush Whopper,’ ‘Pickle Bush,’ ‘Pot Luck,’ and ‘Salad Bush’ are some other good options.
Vining Cucumber Varieties
Vining cucumbers are the type my mom always grows in her garden, and some varieties can reach up to 8 feet in length! I don’t recommend choosing vining cucumber varieties for container growing unless you have a large area for a sturdy trellis and are willing to train your plant diligently to climb it.
How to Choose and Prepare Containers to Plant Cucumbers
Now that you’ve chosen the right cucumber variety for your container garden, it’s time to select and prepare the perfect pot. The size of the container can make a significant difference in the health and productivity of your cucumber plants.
Here’s how I choose my containers to grow cucumbers.
Container Size
It takes a lot of energy and resources for your cucumber plant to produce flowers and then fruit. The more soil you give your plant, the more it can spread its roots to soak up water and nutrients.
I recommend choosing a pot that’s at least 16 inches deep and 12 inches wide and able to hold five to seven gallons of potting mix. This size will provide enough space for your cucumber plants to develop extensive root systems and receive the necessary nutrients to produce fruit.
I’m personally a huge fan of grow boxes, like EarthBox and City Pickers. These boxes hold about 10 gallons of soil, and I put two cucumber plants in one EarthBox.
Container Materials
When it comes to container materials, plastic, ceramic, and wooden containers are great choices for growing cucumbers. Each material has its own advantages.
- Plastic pots are lightweight and affordable.
- Ceramic pots offer better insulation to keep the soil consistently moist.
- Wooden containers are durable and provide excellent drainage.
- Cloth grow bags are inexpensive, easy to use, and provide outstanding drainage/airflow.
Regardless of the material you choose, ensure that your container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging and promote healthy root development.
Soil for Cucumbers in Pots
Good soil that’s rich in nutrients is the key to successfully growing cucumbers in containers. Let’s take a look at how to do that.
Don’t use any products labeled “topsoil” or “garden soil”- they’re far too heavy and will soon become a solid block of hardened dirt. Instead, use a high-quality potting mix amended with compost for your container cucumber plants.
The ideal potting mix for cucumbers should contain a blend of peat moss, vermiculite, and compost to provide the necessary nutrients and maintain the proper soil moisture level.
Some of my favorite brands of potting soil are:
I like these formulas because they’re made from organic ingredients (a must for edible crops, in my book) and they already contain enough nutrients to nourish your cucumbers for a few weeks.
You could also make your own potting soil blend. I’ve made a mix of coco coir, composted manure, and perlite for my veggies in the past, and they grew wonderfully. My rough recipe was 2 parts coco coir, 1 part compost, and a couple of handfuls of perlite.
I’ve also ordered bulk soil from a local garden supply company, and that’s worked great. I ordered the garden blend, which I was told by the company was 2 parts topsoil, 1 part sand, and compost blended in.
Planting and Caring for Cucumber Plants in Containers
Now that you’ve selected the right cucumber variety, container, and soil, it’s time to plant your cucumbers and learn how to care for them. Proper planting techniques and care practices are crucial for ensuring a successful harvest.
Direct Sowing vs. Transplanting
There are two main methods to plant cucumbers: direct sowing and transplanting.
- Direct sowing involves planting cucumber seeds directly into the soil where the plant will grow all season long
- Transplanting involves starting seeds in a separate container and then transplanting the seedlings into the final container or garden bed.
Each method has its own unique benefits and drawbacks. Direct sowing is easier and allows cucumbers to develop a robust root system, and that’s actually the method I prefer using.
On the other hand, transplanting provides more control over the environment and can give cucumbers an early start on the growing season. If you purchase a cucumber seedling from a garden center, that will also be a transplant.
If you live in an area with short summers, starting your cucumber seeds indoors a few weeks before your last projected frost lets you enjoy a full harvest before the temperature dips in the fall.
It’s really a matter of personal preference and your local growing conditions- either method works.
Watering and Pruning Cucumbers
Cucumbers need lots of water to produce plump, crispy fruits. And when growing cucumbers in containers, you’ll have to be extra vigilant about watering since there’s less soil to hold moisture. Just be careful not to overwater your cucumber plants.
According to Utah State University Extension, cucumbers need about 1 to 2 inches of water weekly. Check the soil every couple of days (during a heat spell, check every day) for the moisture level. Stick your finger into the soil to about the second knuckle, about 2 inches deep. If you feel moisture, you don’t need to water yet. If it feels dry, give your cukes a good soak.
Adding a layer of mulch around the base of the plant also helps the soil hold more moisture. I like to put on a 2 to 4 inch layer of organic mulch, like these:
- Grass clippings from untreated lawns
- Shredded leaves
- Compost
- Aged manure
- Straw
- Weed-free hay
When it comes to pruning, regular maintenance can help keep your cucumber plants compact and healthy. Remove spent flowers, wilted leaves, or diseased parts to ensure the plant receives the best nutrients and energy to thrive. For compact bush varieties, regular pruning will help maintain compact vines or plants.
Fertilization Schedule
A high-quality potting mix will get your cucumbers off to a good start, but you’ll need to add additional fertilizer throughout the growing season.
A balanced organic fertilizer is perfect for the early growing stages. Look for formulas with NPK ratios of 4-4-4 or something similar. Once your cucumber plant flowers, a fertilizer with a lower nitrogen content is a good idea to boost your plant’s blossom and fruit production. A formula with an NPK of 2-3-6 or something similar is ideal.
I’ve reviewed some of the best fertilizers for cucumbers, so stop on by to see some great options! Whichever fertilizer you choose, be sure to follow the package directions for how much to apply and how often.
You can also use aged manure or compost to provide additional nutrients and ensure healthy, vigorous cucumber plants.
Support Systems for Cucumbers in Pots
For vining cucumber varieties, trellis and support systems are crucial for successful growth in containers. Growing cucumbers vertically can help minimize the risk of soil-borne diseases and pests, making it a great way to maximize your harvest.
Even for bush cucumber varieties, the plant can produce vines up to 24 inches long. So setting up a support structure is still a good idea.
Various types of support structures can be used for cucumbers in pots, including teepees, fencing, narrow pieces of wooden trellis, metal A-frame trellises, and stakes. Let’s explore the different types of support structures and tips for training your cucumber vines vertically.
Types of Support Structures
Several support structures can be used for cucumbers in pots, such as nylon nets, pea netting, tomato cages, A-frame trellises, or even strings. Each type of support has its own benefits and can be chosen based on your personal preference and available space.
Nylon nets and pea netting are lightweight and easy to install, while tomato cages provide sturdy support for vining cucumbers. A-frame trellises offer a classic look that can enhance the visual appeal of your container garden.
Training Cucumbers to Grow Vertically
Training your cucumbers to grow vertically can reduce the risk of disease and improve yield by providing better air circulation and easier access to sunlight. To help your cucumber vines climb the support, guide the vines to twine around the support and, if needed, tie the plant in place with soft, clean cloth strips to ensure they stay in place.
This video from Harris Seeds has a good demonstration:
Regularly check the progress of your cucumbers and provide additional support or guidance as needed.
Potential Problems with Growing Cucumbers in Pots
Even with proper care, cucumbers in pots may face some common issues that can impede their growth. Inconsistent soil moisture, lack of pollination, pests, and diseases can all hinder cucumber growth.
Watering too much or too little can be a cause of yellow leaves on cucumber plants– a common problem that I’ve run into myself. To ensure consistent soil moisture, use a high-quality potting mix and water your cucumber plants regularly, adjusting the frequency based on the weather and plant growth stage.
For pest management, try covering seedlings with garden fabrics until they start to flower or using non-toxic sticky traps for whiteflies.
If you spot powdery mildew or other diseases, remove affected leaves or fruits and maintain proper air circulation to prevent further spread. By addressing these common issues, you can ensure a healthy and bountiful cucumber harvest.
How to Harvest Cucumbers
How many cucumbers each plant produces depends on the variety and your care routine. Typically, the varieties that produce smaller fruits have a higher yield, and the ones that produce larger fruits have fewer cucumbers.
After nurturing your cucumber plants, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Try to harvest cucumbers in the morning, before the heat of the day sets in. The ideal harvest size varies depending on the variety, but generally, cucumbers should be picked when they are between 4 to 9 inches long.
Cucumber stems, vines, and fruits can be pretty prickly, depending on the variety. So I recommend putting on a pair of gloves to protect your hands. Use garden clippers or a sharp knife to cut cucumbers off the vines, taking care not to damage the plant.
If possible, enjoy your fresh cucumbers or process them into pickles shortly after picking them. You can also store fresh cucumbers for a few days in the refrigerator crisper drawer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Growing Cucumbers in Pots
Final Thoughts
I’m so glad I took the chance to try growing container cucumbers- even when I wasn’t sure if it would work out! It’s a lot of fun, and with the right knowledge of varieties and growing tips, you also can end up with more cucumbers than you know what to do with from one pot!
Now that you’ve been through the post, do you have any other questions about how to grow cucumbers in containers? Or maybe you’ve got some other tips to share about the process that you’ve picked up. Either way, there’s no better way to learn than from each other, so please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!