Growing Cucumbers in Containers
About the Author: Jeremy Starke
I've been growing vegetables since I was 12 — over 30 years in the dirt. I share what actually works in my own Zone 6b garden, and what I wish someone had told me when I started.
Zone 6b · North Carolina · Gardening since age 12You might be wondering if you can grow cucumbers from seed if you are limited for space. Maybe you grew tomatoes on your balcony before, but not quite certain if it would work to grow cucumbers in pots.
Cucumbers need to vine up and can grow all over the place but is if ok on a porch?
Growing cucumbers in containers is actually pretty easy when you follow our best tips below.
Ideal Containers & Best Soil To Grow Cucumbers
You need a container and the right type of soil as the minimum to get started. We give you our thoughts on how to select the right options.
Best Containers To Use For Cucumbers
Virtually any large, clean container with drainage holes will work for growing cucumbers. This vegetable needs room for their roots to grow, so it makes sense to choose a larger container.
After all, the plant will be several feet tall or more, so it makes sense that the extensive root systems need room to spread out to support the plant. Your container size should be at least 12 inches (30 cm) deep, with optimal size of 16 inches (41 cm) deep or more.
It should be at least 10 inches (25 cm) wide for one plant. The wider your container, the more plants you can grow in one pot.
A 5-gallon bucket from the hardware store will work just fine provided you drill holes in the bottom for drainage. You can also use other larger containers, such as a planter or even a deep window box.
You may want to find a container that you can put a sturdy trellis in, or attach a strong trellis to the side of the pot.
Choose a spot in your garden space with good exposure to sunlight.
Soil
The quality of your organic potting soil mix will have a big impact on the quality of your cucumber plant!
Be sure to use quality potting soil that has been amended with compost or organic matter so that it will nourish the plants.
It’s also important to use plenty of soil that has good drainage, so be sure to mix in some perlite or vermiculite. Drainage holes in the bottom of the container are also crucial.
The advantage of growing in a container is that you can completely control the quality of the soil you use. Some gardeners choose to use liquid fertilizer or granular fertilizer to ensure fertile container soil throughout the growing season.
Any all-purpose fertilizer will work.
Best Varieties of Cucumbers to Grow In Containers
There are two types of cucumber: bush and vining varieties.
Bush cucumbers still produce vines, of course, but they work best in containers since the plants are more compact. The good news is that among bush styles, there are a wide range of common cucumber choices.
Some of the best varieties of cucumbers for container gardening include:
- Marketmore
- Spacemaster
- Bush Slicer
- Picolino
These compact cucumbers for pots tend to grow with shorter vines, tend to be disease resistant, and produce lots of cucumber fruit.
You can grow both slicing cucumbers and pickling cucumbers in pots. You can grow vining cucumbers in containers as long as you have a lot of room for a large support structure, as the fines may grow to longer than six feet.
When Is The Best Time To Plant Cucumbers in Containers
Trellising Cucumbers in Containers
Even using the more compact bush style cucumbers, your plants will still need a support structure. You can use a strong trellis, some stakes or sticks, or even a tomato cage.
Make sure your support structure is sturdy, as cucumber vines can get heavy once they start producing. This also takes advantage of vertical space.
Another advantage of using a support structure is that the cucumber fruit will hang off the vine, making them easier to find and harvest.
Final Thoughts
Growing tasty, crunchy cucumbers in containers can be fun and easy.
Just read this gardening advice and find a little bit of room for a five-gallon container and you will soon be snacking on delicious cucumbers!
Meet Jeremy Starke
I've been growing vegetables since I was 12 — over 30 years in the dirt. I share what actually works in my own Zone 6b garden, and what I wish someone had told me when I started.
Zone 6b · North Carolina · Gardening since age 12 Read My Story →Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should a container be for cucumbers?
A container growing cucumbers should be at least 12 inches deep, preferably 16 inches or more.
Can you grow cucumbers in a 5 gallon bucket?
Yes, you can grow cucumbers in a 5 gallon bucket, as long as you drill drainage holes in the bottom.
