Garden Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
Stephen Ausmus, USDA ARS
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cucurbitaceae
- Genus:
- Cucumis
- Species:
- Cucumis sativus
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 1-2 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun, jul, aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Native Range
United States: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Palau, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Canada: Ontario, Quebec
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica), Armyworm moth (Pseudaletia unipuncta), Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), Celery leaftier (Udea rubigalis), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), cucumber moth (Diaphania indica-complex), European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), Euxoa tessellata, Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Gothic dart (Feltia subgothica), melonworm moth (Diaphania hyalinata), pickleworm (Diaphania nitidalis), Soybean Looper (Pseudoplusia includens), Squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to subtropical regions with fertile soils