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Palace King Cucumber

Cucumis sativus 'Palace King'

An impressive English-style greenhouse cucumber that produces exceptionally long, straight fruits up to 14 inches with virtually no seeds. This premium variety offers the crisp texture and mild flavor of expensive European cucumbers right from your own garden. Palace King's thin, tender skin requires no peeling and its consistent production makes it a gourmet gardener's dream.

Harvest

60-65d

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 Palace King Cucumber in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 cucumber →

Zone Map

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Palace King Cucumber · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilRich, well-drained soil with high organic matter content

pH6.0-6.8

Water1.5-2 inches per week, consistent moisture essential

SeasonWarm season

FlavorMild, sweet, exceptionally crisp with tender skin

ColorMedium to dark green with glossy skin

Size12-14 inches long, 2.5 inches diameter

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 Palace King cucumbers store best in the refrigerator crisper drawer wrapped individually in paper towels, then placed in perforated plastic bags. They'll maintain peak quality for 7-10 days this way, significantly longer than most cucumber varieties due to their thick flesh and minimal seed cavity.

For longer preservation, Palace King excels at quick pickling due to its firm texture. Slice and make refrigerator pickles that will keep for up to 6 weeks. The variety also works well for freezing when cut into chunks for smoothies or cold soups - blanch for 2 minutes before freezing to maintain texture.

Fermented pickle spears are another excellent option, as Palace King's dense flesh holds up well to the fermentation process. The mild flavor makes it ideal for bread-and-butter style pickles or European-style gherkins when harvested smaller at 6-8 inches.

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

Deters cucumber beetles and improves soil structure with taproot

Marigold

Repels cucumber beetles, aphids, and other harmful insects

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids

Beans

Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides natural trellis support

Corn

Provides natural shade and wind protection for cucumber vines

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects and may improve cucumber flavor

Lettuce

Acts as living mulch, conserving soil moisture

Sunflower

Provides natural trellis support and attracts beneficial pollinators

Keep Apart

Potato

Competes for nutrients and may harbor similar soil-borne diseases

Sage

Allelopathic compounds can inhibit cucumber growth

Aromatic herbs

Strong oils from mint, rosemary can stunt cucumber development

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

Moderate resistance to common cucumber diseases

Common Pests

Cucumber beetles, aphids, spider mites

Diseases

Powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Palace King cucumber take to grow?▼

Palace King cucumbers are ready to harvest in 60-65 days from transplant, or about 85-90 days from seed if you're starting indoors. You'll see first flowers in about 45 days, with fruits reaching harvestable size 2-3 weeks later. Peak production continues for 6-8 weeks with regular harvesting.

Can you grow Palace King cucumbers in containers?▼

Yes, but use large containers - minimum 20 gallons for adequate root space. The vigorous vines and heavy fruits need substantial support, so plan for a sturdy 6-foot trellis. Container growing actually helps control soil temperature and moisture, which Palace King appreciates, but requires more frequent fertilizing.

Is Palace King cucumber good for beginners?▼

Palace King is rated moderate difficulty due to its specific growing requirements - consistent warmth, heavy feeding, and sturdy support systems. Beginners can succeed with attention to detail, but easier varieties like Bush Champion might be better starting choices.

What does Palace King cucumber taste like?▼

Palace King offers an exceptionally mild, sweet flavor with zero bitterness even when fully mature. The texture is remarkably crisp and juicy, similar to expensive European hothouse cucumbers. The thin skin adds no tough or bitter notes, making it perfect for delicate preparations.

When should I plant Palace King cucumber seeds?▼

Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before your last frost date for best results. Transplant outdoors only after soil reaches 65°F consistently and nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. In most regions, this means late April to mid-May planting, depending on your growing zone.

How big do Palace King cucumber plants get?▼

Palace King vines reach 6-8 feet in length with vigorous growth, requiring substantial vertical support. The plants develop a heavy canopy and can produce 15-20 large fruits per plant under optimal conditions, making them quite substantial compared to bush cucumber varieties.