Crops › Cucumber (Greenhouse)
How to grow Cucumber (Greenhouse)
in the UK
Sow February to May, plant out June, harvest June to October. About 55 days from seed to plate.
Growing your own cucumbers, especially the greenhouse varieties, is a proper treat when summer comes round. There's nothing quite like that crisp, fresh taste straight from the plot, you know what I mean. They do need a bit of warmth, mind, so a greenhouse, polytunnel, or even a sunny conservatory is ideal for these. It's a bit of work, but the rewards are well worth it.
Sowing
You'll want to get your cucumber seeds started indoors, like I say in the app notes, from February right through to May. They're not keen on the cold at all, so a minimum of 15°C is essential for good germination – a propagator or a warm windowsill is spot on. Sow them on their side, about 1 cm deep, into small pots, one seed per pot. This stops them getting a shock when you move them. Keep the compost moist but not soaking wet. If you want a steady supply, sow a few every month or so.
Growing on
Once your seedlings have a couple of true leaves and look sturdy, they'll need potting on into bigger pots if they're getting too big for their boots. These are tender plants, so don't even think about putting them outside until all danger of frost is well and truly gone, which for us up North is usually mid to late May. If they're going in the greenhouse, plant them into growing bags or directly into the border, giving them about 60 cm between plants. Get some strings or canes ready, as they'll need training up.
Looking after it
Cucumbers are thirsty things, especially when they're fruiting, so keep the soil consistently moist. Feed them with a liquid tomato feed once a week when the fruits start to set. Pinch out the main growing tip once it reaches the top of your support, then let side shoots produce the fruit. Remember to take off any male flowers on traditional varieties to stop bitterness.
What goes wrong
The main culprits in the greenhouse are red spider mite, whitefly, and aphids. Red spider mite loves dry, hot conditions, so misting your plants can help keep them at bay. Check the undersides of leaves regularly. For whitefly and aphids, a quick spray with some insecticidal soap usually sorts them out, or just squish the aphids with your fingers.
Harvest
You'll be picking your first cucumbers about 55 days after sowing, usually from June onwards. Pick them when they're a good size and firm, before they start to yellow. A sharp knife or secateurs will do the job. Regular picking encourages more fruit. Store them in the fridge, and they'll keep for about a week, proper fresh.
I always sow a couple of extra cucumber seeds, just in case some don't germinate or the slugs get 'em early on, it saves a lot of faff later.
Dates for your plot
Type the first half of your postcode and the plant-out advice shifts to your area's typical frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Carmen F1 This one gives you lovely long, smooth fruits, proper cracking for slicing. It's a good choice if you're keen to get an early harvest from your greenhouse. | No club votes yet |
| Telegraph Improved A proper heritage variety, this is the traditional greenhouse cucumber many of us remember. It's best for those who appreciate a classic taste and a bit of gardening history. | No club votes yet |
| Bella F1 Bella's an all-female variety, which means you won't need to worry about removing male flowers. Expect a really good yield of lovely cucumbers from this one, making your efforts worthwhile. | No club votes yet |
| Mini Munch F1 These are brilliant for growing in containers or a smaller space, giving you snack-sized fruits. Perfect for kids to pick themselves, or for a quick crunch in your lunchbox. | No club votes yet |
| Cucino F1 Another great mini cucumber, Cucino is a reliable maincrop choice for your greenhouse. You'll get plenty of compact, tasty fruits throughout the season. | No club votes yet |
| Zeina F1 If you've had trouble with diseases before, Zeina is a cracking choice as it's disease-resistant. It gives you a bit more peace of mind that you'll get a good crop. | No club votes yet |
| Socrates F1 Socrates is another one that stands up well to common cucumber diseases, which is always a bonus. It's a good early start variety, getting you fruits sooner rather than later. | No club votes yet |
| Petita F1 This variety gives you lots of lovely baby cucumbers, perfect for little hands and quick snacks. Petita's an early starter and will keep producing a good yield for you. | No club votes yet |
| Long Green Ridge A proper heritage variety, Long Green Ridge produces ribbed fruits with a traditional taste. It's a good early start option for those who like something a bit different and robust. | No club votes yet |
| Femspot F1 Femspot is an all-female variety, so you don't need to fuss with male flowers, which is a blessing. It's an early starter and delivers a really high yield, so you'll be chuffed with the harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Flamingo F1 This maincrop variety is known for its long, smooth fruits and vigorous growth. If you've got space and want a reliable cropper for plenty of slicing, Flamingo is a good bet. | No club votes yet |
| Louisa F1 Louisa is a fantastic compact mini cucumber, ideal for growing in pots or smaller spaces. It's an early starter too, so you won't be waiting long for your first little fruits. | No club votes yet |
| Helena F1 Helena is a cracking maincrop variety, giving you lovely smooth fruits with an excellent taste. It's a reliable choice for a steady supply of quality cucumbers throughout the season. | No club votes yet |
| Cumlaude F1 Cumlaude is a really productive variety and, what's more, it's disease-resistant, which always helps. Get this one started early for a good, healthy crop you can rely on. | No club votes yet |
| Birgit F1 Birgit is a super reliable maincrop cucumber, giving you consistently long, good quality fruits. It's a solid choice if you want a dependable cropper for salads and sandwiches. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
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Cook the harvest
A bold, refreshing noodle salad where ribbons of cucumber carry just as much weight as the prawns. The dressing is punchy — sesame oil, ginger, rice vinegar and a hit of chilli — and it coats everything beautifully. This comes together in 25 minutes and is exactly the kind of thing you want to eat on a warm August evening.
25 min · easyThis is a Chinese-inspired cold dish that is genuinely greater than the sum of its parts. Smacking the cucumber with a rolling pin splits it into rough, jagged pieces that soak up the punchy dressing of chilli oil, black vinegar, garlic and soy sauce far better than sliced cucumber ever could. It takes ten minutes and will become a fixture all summer long.
10 min · easyA Scandinavian-style open sandwich that takes cucumber seriously. Thick slices are layered in real quantity over dense, seedy rye bread spread with lemon cream cheese, topped with sharp radish and a shower of chives. This is a proper weekday lunch or light breakfast that comes together in ten minutes and feels considerably more elegant than the effort involved.
10 min · easyThis is the kind of pickle you make in twenty minutes and eat the same evening. Thin slices of cucumber are salted, rinsed, and tossed through a sweet-sharp rice vinegar dressing with ginger and sesame — it is Japanese in spirit but simple enough to become a weekly habit. It keeps in the fridge for three days and goes with almost everything.
20 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: beans, lettuce
Questions people ask
When do you sow Cucumber (Greenhouse) in the UK?
Sow Cucumber (Greenhouse) from February to May. Plant out June, after the last frost.
How long does Cucumber (Greenhouse) take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 55 days, with the harvest June to October.
Which Cucumber (Greenhouse) varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Carmen F1, Telegraph Improved, Bella F1, Mini Munch F1 and more.
Track your Cucumber (Greenhouse) from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.