How to Grow Cucumbers in a Pot: 8 Cucumber Plant Care Tips

With a cylindrical shape, dark green skin and pale flesh, the cucumber is cultivated in many parts of the world and eaten as a vegetable. [Cucumbers](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-cucumbers-and-zucchini) are often consumed raw, and are lightly crunchy with a mild flavor. Cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus) are members of the gourd family, and though there are many different types of cucumbers, they grow in two distinct versions: - __Vine cucumbers__. The most common type of cucumber plant, vining cucumbers will grow sprawled out across the ground or can be trained to grow up supports like [trellises](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/diy-trellis-guide) or tomato cages if you want to conserve space in a small garden. - __Bush cucumbers__. Bush cucumbers are less common varieties of cucumber that grow in smaller clumps rather than vines. These take up less space than vining varieties and are perfect for small gardens—and can even grow in containers. Whether you have no more room in your garden or you live outside the ideal USDA hardiness zone (4 through 11), planting cucumbers in a pot means you can have a stash of these veggies all year round. Cucumbers also prefer warm temperatures and regular watering, and planting them inside allows you to regulate their environment. Here is a quick breakdown of how to plant cucumbers in a pot. 1. __Plant them at the right time__. Plant your cucumbers two weeks after the last frost of the spring. These hothouse veggies need warmth and plenty of full sun to grow quickly and healthily. 2. __Choose a large enough container__. You will need a large container for your cucumbers to give your plants enough room to aerate and grow. Choose a container with plenty of drainage holes that allow for at least one gallon of soil per plant. Fill your pot with a half-and-half mixture of potting mix and compost. 3. __Pick the right cucumber variety__. Both vining and bush varieties will grow in containers, but smaller cucumber species work best in vertical gardens or gardens with limited space. The spacemaster, bush slicer, diva, or lemon cucumber cultivars are ideal for small-space growing. 4. __Plant your cucumber seeds__. Cucumbers have a long and delicate root system that makes them a risky crop for transplanting. This means that it’s best to sow your seeds directly into the container soil. Plant your seeds about an inch beneath the soil, cover, and water gently but thoroughly. Cucumbers are spring and summertime veggies that can flourish in your very own container garden. For gardening tips on how to properly grow and care for your cucumber plants, see below: 1. __Use a trellis__. If you find that your stems need more support, try trellising your cucumbers. Your crops will thrive more successfully when their unruly cucumber vines are off the ground, which regulates airflow and allows them to get more sun. 2. __Provide plenty of sun__. Cucumber plants need lots of full sun to flourish. Move your cucumbers out of the shade of other plants or structures. 3. __Water your cucumbers liberally__. You should give your cucumbers plenty of water (about a gallon a week for established plants) to set them up to produce plenty of fruit. Do not saturate your soil with water, which may lead to root rot. However, you should water your cucumbers when the first inch of soil dries out. 4. __Check for pests__. Cucumbers are susceptible to aphids, squash bugs, and cucumber beetles. Use cheesecloth to keep some of these pests at bay, and pick off others with your fingers or use a hard water spray to remove them from the plant. You can also use an organic insecticide such as neem oil. 5. __Check for disease__. Cucumber plants are vulnerable to powdery mildew, leaf spot, and bacterial wilt. Promptly remove any infested plants, and make sure they have enough airflow (either by thinning or trellising). 6. __Mulch__. Cucumbers in pots will dry out much faster than they would in your garden, so it’s imperative to maintain adequate soil moisture levels in your containers. Mulching your potted plants with organic matter can keep your plants moist and help you avoid overwatering and root rot. 7. __Ensure pollination__. Cucumbers grow both male and female flowers, but only one set will grow at a time. You may need to pollinate your plants to get them to produce fruit. Spray your plants with sugar water to invite beneficial pollinators to your garden such as bees, or use a cotton swab to hand pollinate your crops yourself. 8. __Use an organic fertilizer__. Cucumbers are heavy feeders and may benefit from occasional fertilization. Use a slow-release liquid fertilizer (with a low nitrogen/high potassium combination) before planting, and every few weeks after. If your container gardening has been a success, you should be ready to [harvest](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-grow-and-harvest-cucumbers-in-your-garden) your cucumbers within at least fifty days. For cucumber harvesting tips, see below; 1. __Harvest when they’re uniformly green__. Cucumbers should be harvested punctually; if you wait too long, they’ll be bitter-tasting. In general, you should harvest cucumbers when they’re firm, crisp, and green—if they start to turn yellow, you might be too late. The size will depend on the cucumber varieties: for burpless cucumbers, this is usually when they’re around ten inches long; for slicing cucumbers and dills, this is usually when they’re six inches long; for pickling cucumbers, this is usually at two inches. 2. __Cut the stem__. Using a pair of garden scissors or a sharp knife, cut the cucumber off of the plant just above the stem. Never pull the fruit—this will put undue stress on the vine and could damage the plant and discourage it from producing more cucumbers. 3. __Continue harvesting cucumbers as they mature__. For the best production, you need to stay on top of the harvest and pick new cucumbers as they’re ready. This will encourage the plant to continue producing throughout the growing season. 4. __Store fresh cucumbers in an airtight container__. Keeping cucumbers in an airtight container can help conserve their moisture and keep them edible for up to ten days in the refrigerator. For longer storage, cucumbers are a traditional choice for pickling, and pickled cucumbers can last up to four months in the refrigerator. Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community - and the world - a better place. Cucumbers are a warm-season crop that you can grow at home in a container, rather than having them take up space in your vegetable garden.