Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Neutral, Alkaline, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | Green | |
| Autumn | Green | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Trailing
- Potentially harmful
- Pets: Bitter fruit can be TOXIC if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Cucumis is a genus of twining plants with tendrils which includes cucumber, melons and gerkins. Around 30 species are native to Africa and 25 to India, Southeast Asia and Australia.
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow from seed in a heated greenhouse in pots and maintain a constant temperature of 21C. Prick out young plants into 25cm pots filled with a good quality growing potting compost and maintain a temperature of 12-15C. Water little and often to keep the compost evenly moist and feed every two weeks. See vegetable cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Pinch out the growing point of the plant once it reaches the top of the support. Shorten sideshoots to two leaves beyond any developing fruit
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly, glasshouse red spider mite, slugs and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to cucumber mosaic virus. It shows some resistance to powdery and downy mildew
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.