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Beit Alpha

Cucumis sativus 'Beit Alpha'

A Mediterranean heirloom cucumber that produces sweet, crisp fruits with tender, thin skin that never needs peeling. Originally from Israel, this parthenocarpic variety sets fruit without pollination and delivers consistently uniform, blocky cucumbers perfect for fresh eating. The compact vines are incredibly productive and produce smooth, dark green fruits that maintain their quality even in hot weather.

Harvest

55-60d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

White-Tailed Deer

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

8-18 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Beit Alpha in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 cucumber →

Zone Map

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Beit Alpha · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilRich, well-drained loam with high organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorSweet, crisp, mild with no bitterness

ColorDark green

Size5-6 inches long, 1.5 inches diameter

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	May – May	June – July	June – August	August – October
Zone 4	April – May	June – June	June – July	August – October
Zone 5	April – April	May – June	May – July	August – September
Zone 6	April – April	May – June	May – July	July – September
Zone 7	March – April	May – May	May – June	July – August
Zone 8	March – March	April – May	April – June	June – August
Zone 9	February – February	March – April	March – May	May – July
Zone 10	January – February	March – March	March – April	May – June

Complete Growing Guide

Light: White-Tailed Deer. Soil: High Organic Matter. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The "vegetable" is botanically a fruit– it is a pepo, a berry with a hard rind. Long and cylindrical, starting out prickly when young and smoothing out to a bumpy surface as it matures. Length and girth can vary based on cultivar and culinary purpose but grow at least 3 in long. Some varieties are bred to be seedless.

Color: Green. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.

Garden value: Edible, Showy

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Summer

Edibility: Fruits are commonly eaten raw or pickled. Fresh cucumbers last in the fridge for about a week.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Beit Alpha cucumbers store best in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, maintaining optimal quality for 7-10 days when kept at 45-50°F with high humidity. Wrap unwashed cucumbers loosely in perforated plastic bags to prevent moisture loss while allowing air circulation. Never store below 40°F as this causes chilling injury and accelerated decay.

For longer preservation, Beit Alpha's firm texture and mild flavor make them excellent for refrigerator pickles. Their thin skin eliminates the need for peeling, and they maintain crispness well in quick brines. Slice into rounds or spears and submerge in seasoned vinegar solutions for 24 hours before consuming.

While not ideal for traditional canning due to their high water content, you can successfully ferment Beit Alpha cucumbers using lacto-fermentation methods. Their sweet flavor profile creates uniquely mild fermented pickles. Freezing isn't recommended as it destroys their crisp texture, though frozen cubes work adequately in smoothies or gazpacho.

History & Origin

Origin: Himalaya to Northern Thailand

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Heat
+Attracts: Bees
+Edible: Fruits are commonly eaten raw or pickled. Fresh cucumbers last in the fridge for about a week.
+Fast-growing

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Radish

Repels cucumber beetles and squash bugs while improving soil structure

Marigold

Deters cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes with natural compounds

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, repels squash bugs

Bean

Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides natural trellis support

Corn

Provides natural shade and wind protection for cucumber vines

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control cucumber pests

Lettuce

Serves as living mulch, conserving soil moisture and suppressing weeds

Sunflower

Provides natural trellis support and attracts pollinators

Keep Apart

Sage

Inhibits cucumber growth through allelopathic compounds

Potato

Competes for nutrients and may increase susceptibility to blight diseases

Aromatic herbs

Strong oils from rosemary and thyme can stunt cucumber growth

Nutrition Facts

Calories

10kcal(1%)

Protein

0.59g(1%)

Fiber

0.7g(3%)

Carbs

2.16g(1%)

Fat

0.16g(0%)

Vitamin C

3.2mg(4%)

Vitamin A

4mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

7.2mcg(6%)

Iron

0.22mg(1%)

Calcium

14mg(1%)

Potassium

136mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169225)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to powdery mildew and cucumber mosaic virus

Common Pests

Cucumber beetles, aphids, spider mites, squash bugs

Diseases

Bacterial wilt, downy mildew, anthracnose

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Beit Alpha cucumber take to grow?▼

Beit Alpha cucumbers reach harvest maturity in 55-60 days from seed germination. When started from transplants, expect your first harvest about 45-50 days after transplanting. The productive harvest window typically lasts 6-8 weeks with proper care and regular picking.

Can you grow Beit Alpha cucumbers in containers?▼

Yes, Beit Alpha cucumbers excel in container growing due to their compact vine structure. Use containers at least 20 gallons in size with drainage holes, and provide vertical support with a 5-6 foot trellis. Their parthenocarpic nature eliminates pollination concerns common with container gardening.

Is Beit Alpha cucumber good for beginners?▼

Absolutely. Beit Alpha is rated as an easy variety perfect for beginning gardeners. The parthenocarpic trait ensures fruit production without pollination worries, they're naturally disease resistant, and their heat tolerance forgives some watering inconsistencies. The compact vines are also easier to manage than sprawling varieties.

What does Beit Alpha cucumber taste like?▼

Beit Alpha cucumbers have a distinctly sweet, mild flavor with crisp texture and zero bitterness. The thin skin adds no tough or waxy notes, making them taste cleaner and more refreshing than standard slicing cucumbers. Their sweetness makes them appealing even to those who typically dislike cucumbers.

When should I plant Beit Alpha cucumber seeds?▼

Plant Beit Alpha seeds outdoors after soil temperature reaches 65°F consistently, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. For earlier harvests, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost, then transplant when nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F consistently.

Beit Alpha vs English cucumber - what's the difference?▼

Beit Alpha cucumbers are shorter (4-6 inches vs 12-14 inches), have better heat tolerance, and grow on compact outdoor vines rather than requiring greenhouse conditions. Both have thin, edible skins, but Beit Alpha offers superior disease resistance and easier cultivation for home gardeners in most climates.