Heirloom

Straight Eight

Cucumis sativus 'Straight Eight'

A classic American heirloom cucumber that has been a garden staple since 1935 and won the All-America Selections award. Famous for its perfectly straight, uniform 8-inch fruits with crisp texture and excellent flavor. This reliable variety produces consistently even in variable weather conditions, making it a favorite for both beginners and experienced gardeners.

Harvest

58-65d

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 Straight Eight in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 cucumber →

Zone Map

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Straight Eight · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorCrisp, mild, refreshing with no bitterness

ColorDark green with lighter stripes

Size8 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 – September
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 Straight Eight cucumbers keep best in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, wrapped loosely in plastic to maintain humidity while preventing moisture buildup that causes rot. They'll stay crisp for 7-10 days when stored at 50-55°F—avoid temperatures below 45°F which cause chilling injury and bitter flavors.

For short-term storage, keep unwashed cucumbers at room temperature for 2-3 days maximum. Their high water content makes them unsuitable for freezing fresh, but they excel in preservation methods that embrace their crisp texture.

Pickling is the traditional preservation method—their uniform shape makes them perfect for dill pickles, bread-and-butter pickles, or quick refrigerator pickles. You can also ferment them into half-sours using a simple salt brine. For long-term storage, slice and dehydrate into chips for a healthy snack, or incorporate into relishes and chutneys that can be water-bath canned safely.

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

Radishes

Break up soil for cucumber roots and repel cucumber beetles

Marigolds

Repel cucumber beetles, aphids, and other harmful insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids

Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil and provide natural trellis support

Corn

Provides natural shade and wind protection for cucumber vines

Sunflowers

Attract beneficial insects and provide afternoon shade

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings that control cucumber pests

Lettuce

Benefits from cucumber's shade while maximizing garden space

Keep Apart

Aromatic Herbs

Strong scents from sage, rosemary can inhibit cucumber growth

Potatoes

Compete for nutrients and may increase disease susceptibility

Melons

Cross-pollination concerns and increased competition for water and nutrients

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 cucumber mosaic virus and downy mildew

Common Pests

Cucumber beetles, aphids, spider mites, squash bugs

Diseases

Powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, angular leaf spot, anthracnose

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Straight Eight cucumber take to grow?▼

Straight Eight cucumbers take 58-65 days from seed to harvest. You'll see first flowers around 40-45 days, with fruits ready to pick about 2-3 weeks after pollination. In optimal conditions with warm temperatures and consistent moisture, some gardeners harvest their first cucumbers as early as 55 days from planting.

Can you grow Straight Eight cucumbers in containers?▼

Yes, Straight Eight grows well in containers due to its compact bush habit. Use a container at least 20 gallons with drainage holes, and provide a small trellis or cage for support. Container plants need daily watering in hot weather and weekly feeding with liquid fertilizer. Expect 8-12 cucumbers per plant in containers versus 15-20 in garden beds.

Is Straight Eight good for beginners?▼

Absolutely—Straight Eight is rated as an easy variety perfect for beginning gardeners. It's forgiving of minor care mistakes, produces reliably in most climates, and the uniform 8-inch size makes it obvious when cucumbers are ready to harvest. The main beginner challenge is managing cucumber beetles, but row covers during early growth solve this issue.

What does Straight Eight cucumber taste like?▼

Straight Eight has a classic crisp, refreshing cucumber flavor that's mild and never bitter when harvested properly. The flesh is firm and juicy with small seeds, making it excellent for fresh eating and salads. The skin is tender enough to eat but can be peeled if desired. It tastes like what most people expect from a 'perfect' cucumber.

When should I plant Straight Eight cucumber seeds?▼

Plant Straight Eight seeds after soil temperature reaches 65°F and nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F—typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. For most areas, this means mid-May to early June. You can start seeds indoors 2-3 weeks earlier for transplanting, but direct sowing usually produces stronger plants.

Straight Eight vs Japanese Long cucumber - what's the difference?▼

Straight Eight produces 8-inch fruits with traditional cucumber flavor and moderate disease resistance, while Japanese Long varieties can reach 12-18 inches with thinner skins and milder taste. Straight Eight is more compact and better for small gardens, while Japanese Long types need more space but often have better disease resistance and longer harvest periods.