How to Grow Cucumbers in Pots and Containers, According to Horticulturists

Cucumbers are wonderful plants that will grow well in a summer garden, but if you're short on space, you can also raise them in pots and containers. Not only is this method more convenient, but it also makes cucumbers even more accessible for novice gardeners to grow.

Of course, growing any plant in a pot will require a slightly different approach than growing it in a garden, and cucumbers are no exception. Here, we spoke to experts who have done it themselves, so you'll know how to properly care for these delicious vegetables from start to finish.

Cucumber Varieties You Can Grow in Containers

Since cucumbers are fairly easy to grow, you can plant most any of them in containers. However, some may be a slightly better choice than others.

"I tend to stick to bush cucumbers because they take up less space, and I don’t need to set up a trellis or other type of support," says Niki Jabbour, the founder of Savvy Gardening. She's also been growing cucumbers in containers for decades. "Instead, I add a standard tomato cage to the container to serve as a support ."

Jabbour recommends the Quick Snack and Bush Slicer varieties in particular for their compact size. There are vining cucumbers too, though they will take up more space, which is less ideal for container gardening. If that's more your speed, though, then Jabbour suggests either the Diva or Suyo Long varieties.

When to Plant Cucumbers

Cucumbers do best in warmer temperatures and seasons, so it's best to plant them after the risk of frost has passed, says Jabbour.

"Direct sow the seeds a half inch deep, or transplant vigorous seedlings when the temperature is consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit," she says.

Care Requirements

There are many advantages to growing cucumbers in pots and containers, but there are some additional care requirements that should be kept top-of-mind, too. Here are a few that experts emphasized.

Sunlight

Cucumbers need about 6 to 8 hours of sun a day, whether you're growing them in a garden or in a pot. The added benefit of having a container, though, is that you can move it to a sunnier spot throughout the season.

Water

You'll need to water potted cucumbers more often than their garden-grown counterparts. "Aim to keep the potting compost moist at all times, but never soggy," says Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society. "An automatic irrigation system on a timer is a sound investment for busy people."

If you prefer to do the watering yourself, then Jabbour recommends watering based on need, rather than on a schedule. "Stick your finger into the growing mix—if it's dry an inch down, then grab your watering can or hose," she says. "Aim to saturate the mix completely. Excess water should run out of the drainage holes."

Marcus Bridgewater, founder of Garden Marcus, recommends using a terracotta, self-watering plant spike or two, depending on the container size. "It can go a long way to keep the plant weighed down and moist throughout the hot days of spring and summer," he says.

Soil and Fertilizer

One of the benefits of growing cucumbers in pots is that you can customize and tweak the soil mix.

"I like to plant my potted cucumbers in a 50-50 blend of potting mix and compost, also adding a granular organic vegetable fertilizer," says Jabbour. "Cucumbers have high fertility and moisture needs, [so this] provides ideal growing conditions. "

You can then follow up with regular doses of a liquid organic fertilizer every week or two. Jabbour recommends a fish emulsion.

Pot Size

Barter suggests planting in a pot that's about 24 inches in diameter. Make sure to consider how many cucumbers you plan on growing as well as how much space they'll take up.

"Big containers hold a larger volume of soil and therefore dry out more slowly than smaller pots," adds Jabbour. "Also, make sure your containers offer good drainage. If you’re upcycling a 5-gallon bucket for your potted cucumbers, then add five or six holes to the bottom of the bucket."

Repotting isn't necessary. In fact, doing so can put undue stress on the plant and impact flower and fruit production.

How to Harvest Cucumbers

Knowing when to harvest your cucumbers is important not just for procuring delicious vegetables but also for maintaining a consistent supply throughout the season.

"Pick fruits regularly, once the tip has more or less parallel sides and is not pointed," says Barter. "Any fruits that get mature will suppress further flowering, and the crop will finish."

Additionally, Jabbour recommends succession planting as a way of guaranteeing future harvests. "After a few weeks of fruiting, cucumber plants begin to slow down," she says. "I succession plant a second container a month later. This new crop will start to fruit just as the initial plants are winding down."