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Lemon Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Pick at 1½-2½" diameter. This versatile cucumber is sweet and flavorful, and doesn't have much of the chemical that makes other cucumbers bitter and hard to digest. Though often served raw, Lemon is also a good pickling cucumber. Specialty market salad item. NOTE: Very late to begin bearing. USDA Certified Organic.

Harvest

65d

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 Lemon Cucumber in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 cucumber →

Zone Map

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Lemon Cucumber · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorSweet, mild, crisp with no bitterness, very refreshing

ColorBright yellow when ripe

Size3-4 inches round

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

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

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 lemon cucumbers keep best stored unwashed in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, where they maintain quality for 5-7 days—longer than most cucumber varieties due to their thick skin. For optimal texture and flavor, bring to room temperature before eating. Unlike traditional cucumbers, lemon varieties don't develop a bitter taste when stored at room temperature for 2-3 days.

For preservation, lemon cucumbers excel at quick pickling due to their firm flesh and mild flavor that readily absorbs brines. Their round shape makes them perfect for bread-and-butter pickle chips or stuffed pickle recipes. They can be frozen after blanching for 2 minutes, though texture becomes soft—best used in soups or smoothies. Dehydrating creates unique cucumber chips, and their low water content compared to standard cucumbers makes them excellent for fermented cucumber kimchi or refrigerator pickles that maintain crunch for weeks.

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

Basil

Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving cucumber flavor

Radishes

Repels cucumber beetles and squash bugs, breaks up soil for cucumber roots

Marigolds

Deters cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes with natural compounds

Nasturtiums

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

Beans

Fixes nitrogen in soil to benefit cucumber growth, provides ground cover

Corn

Provides natural trellis support and wind protection for cucumber vines

Sunflowers

Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators, provides shade and wind protection

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps that control pests

Keep Apart

Aromatic Herbs

Strong herbs like sage can stunt cucumber growth and affect fruit development

Potatoes

Compete for nutrients and space, may increase disease susceptibility

Melons

Share same pest and disease problems, compete heavily for nutrients and water

Nutrition Facts

Calories

22kcal(1%)

Protein

0.35g(1%)

Fiber

0.3g(1%)

Carbs

6.9g(3%)

Fat

0.24g(0%)

Vitamin C

38.7mg(43%)

Vitamin A

0mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

0mcg(0%)

Iron

0.08mg(0%)

Calcium

6mg(0%)

Potassium

103mg(2%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167747)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good natural resistance to most cucumber diseases

Common Pests

Cucumber beetles, aphids, spider mites

Diseases

Powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, cucumber mosaic virus

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do lemon cucumbers take to grow?▼

Lemon cucumbers typically take 65-75 days from seed to harvest, with first fruits usually appearing around day 60. Once production begins, you can expect continuous harvests every 2-3 days throughout the growing season until frost, making them more productive over time than many cucumber varieties that have distinct production peaks.

Are lemon cucumbers good for beginners?▼

Yes, lemon cucumbers are excellent for beginning gardeners due to their exceptional disease resistance, forgiving nature, and reliable production. They're more tolerant of inconsistent watering than traditional cucumbers and their round fruits are easier to spot for harvesting. The main beginner challenge is managing their vigorous vine growth.

Can you grow lemon cucumbers in containers?▼

Absolutely! Lemon cucumbers work wonderfully in containers—use at least a 20-gallon pot with a sturdy trellis. Their compact, round fruits put less stress on support systems than heavy, long cucumbers. Choose dwarf or bush varieties if available, and ensure consistent watering since container plants dry out faster.

What do lemon cucumbers taste like?▼

Lemon cucumbers taste like the sweetest, mildest cucumber you've ever eaten—crisp and refreshing without any bitterness, even when fully mature. They have no lemon flavor despite their appearance. The flesh is more tender and less watery than traditional cucumbers, with an almost melon-like sweetness that makes them perfect for fresh eating.

When should I plant lemon cucumber seeds?▼

Plant lemon cucumber seeds directly in the garden after soil temperatures reach 65°F consistently, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. For earlier harvests, start seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before transplanting, but be careful—cucumbers hate root disturbance, so use biodegradable pots and handle transplants gently.

How big do lemon cucumbers get?▼

Harvest lemon cucumbers when they're 2-3 inches in diameter (tennis ball size) for best flavor and texture. They can grow larger—up to 4 inches—and remain edible, but texture becomes less desirable. The vines themselves are vigorous spreaders, reaching 6-8 feet in length, so provide adequate space or trellising.