20 Best Cucumber Varieties to Grow: Facts, Information, Tips, and Advice

Cucumbers are one of the most versatile and rewarding vegetables to grow in your garden or allotment. Whether you prefer them fresh in salads, pickled, or even juiced, there’s a cucumber variety to suit every need. Cucumbers thrive in warm weather and, with the right care, can provide a bountiful harvest all season long.

In this guide, we’ll explore 20 of the best cucumber varieties to grow, including facts, growing tips, and advice to help you choose the best variety for your garden.

1. Marketmore 76

Marketmore 76 is one of the most popular and reliable cucumber varieties for home gardeners. It produces long, dark green cucumbers that are crisp and mild in flavor.

Type: Slicing cucumber
Size: 8-9 inches long
Growth: Vigorous vines, resistant to disease
Harvesting tip: Pick cucumbers before they reach full size for a crisper texture.
Best use: Fresh in salads

2. Armenian Cucumber (Snake Melon)

Despite its name, the Armenian cucumber is technically a melon but is treated like a cucumber. It produces long, ribbed fruits with a mild flavor.

Type: Heirloom variety
Size: 12-18 inches long
Growth: Vines can grow up to 10 feet long
Harvesting tip: Pick when the fruit is around 12 inches for the best flavor.
Best use: Slicing or eating fresh

3. Boston Pickling

Boston Pickling cucumbers are small, tender, and perfect for making homemade pickles. This fast-growing variety is highly productive.

Type: Pickling cucumber
Size: 3-6 inches long
Growth: Vigorous vines, high yields
Harvesting tip: Harvest when fruits are 3-4 inches for pickling.
Best use: Pickling

4. Lemon Cucumber

The Lemon cucumber stands out with its small, round, yellow fruits that look similar to lemons. This variety has a crisp texture and sweet flavor.

Type: Heirloom variety
Size: 2-3 inches in diameter
Growth: Compact vines, easy to grow
Harvesting tip: Harvest when the fruit is bright yellow for the sweetest flavor.
Best use: Fresh in salads or pickled

5. Burpless Tasty Green

Burpless Tasty Green cucumbers are known for their mild, non-bitter taste and lack of burping-inducing compounds, making them easier to digest.

Type: Hybrid slicing cucumber
Size: 8-10 inches long
Growth: Resistant to powdery mildew and downy mildew
Harvesting tip: Pick before cucumbers get too large for the best texture.
Best use: Fresh in salads or snacking

6. Spacemaster 80

The Spacemaster 80 is a great option for gardeners with limited space, as it is a compact variety ideal for container gardening.

Type: Slicing cucumber
Size: 7-8 inches long
Growth: Bush variety, suitable for small spaces
Harvesting tip: Regularly harvest to encourage continuous fruiting.
Best use: Slicing or fresh eating

7. National Pickling

Developed specifically for pickling, National Pickling cucumbers are a favorite for making crisp, crunchy pickles.

Type: Pickling cucumber
Size: 3-4 inches long
Growth: Vigorous vines, resistant to disease
Harvesting tip: Harvest while still firm and small for pickling.
Best use: Pickling

8. Diva

Diva cucumbers are smooth-skinned, seedless, and known for their mild, sweet taste. This variety is perfect for fresh eating and snacking.

Type: Seedless, slicing cucumber
Size: 6-8 inches long
Growth: Parthenocarpic (does not require pollination)
Harvesting tip: Harvest while the cucumbers are still tender and smooth-skinned.
Best use: Snacking or salads

9. Straight Eight

An heirloom favorite, the Straight Eight cucumber produces long, straight cucumbers with a crisp texture and mild flavor.

Type: Slicing cucumber
Size: 8 inches long
Growth: Disease-resistant vines
Harvesting tip: Harvest when the fruit reaches 8 inches for the best flavor.
Best use: Slicing or fresh eating

10. Parisian Pickling

The Parisian Pickling cucumber is a small, crisp variety perfect for making cornichons or other types of pickles.

Type: Pickling cucumber
Size: 2-3 inches long
Growth: Compact vines, ideal for small gardens
Harvesting tip: Pick when cucumbers are young for the best crunch.
Best use: Pickling

11. Bush Champion

Bush Champion cucumbers are a compact variety, making them a great choice for gardeners with limited space. Despite their small size, they produce full-sized cucumbers.

Type: Slicing cucumber
Size: 8-9 inches long
Growth: Bush variety, perfect for containers
Harvesting tip: Harvest regularly to keep the plant productive.
Best use: Slicing

12. Sweet Success

Sweet Success cucumbers are long and slender with a sweet, mild flavor. They are known for being seedless and easy to digest.

Type: Hybrid slicing cucumber
Size: 10-12 inches long
Growth: Resistant to downy mildew and powdery mildew
Harvesting tip: Harvest before they reach full size to ensure a tender texture.
Best use: Fresh eating or salads

13. Cool Breeze

Cool Breeze is a parthenocarpic cucumber variety, meaning it doesn’t require pollination. This makes it ideal for growing in greenhouses or areas with low pollinator activity.

Type: Pickling cucumber
Size: 5-6 inches long
Growth: Vigorous vines, highly productive
Harvesting tip: Harvest when cucumbers are small and tender.
Best use: Pickling

14. White Wonder

The unique white skin of the White Wonder cucumber makes it a standout in any garden. Despite its unusual color, it has a crisp texture and mild flavor.

Type: Heirloom slicing cucumber
Size: 6-8 inches long
Growth: Disease-resistant vines
Harvesting tip: Harvest when the cucumbers are a creamy white for the best flavor.
Best use: Slicing or pickling

15. Poinsett 76

Poinsett 76 is a disease-resistant variety that produces long, straight cucumbers. It’s perfect for slicing and has a crisp texture.

Type: Slicing cucumber
Size: 7-8 inches long
Growth: Resistant to downy mildew and other diseases
Harvesting tip: Pick regularly to keep the vines producing.
Best use: Slicing or fresh eating

16. Suyo Long

The Suyo Long cucumber is an Asian variety known for its long, slender fruits and slightly ribbed skin. It has a sweet, mild flavor and is often used in salads.

Type: Heirloom slicing cucumber
Size: 12-15 inches long
Growth: Vigorous vines, ideal for trellising
Harvesting tip: Harvest when cucumbers are fully elongated but before the skin becomes tough.
Best use: Slicing or salads

17. Salad Bush

Salad Bush cucumbers are compact plants that produce short, crispy cucumbers. They are perfect for small spaces or container gardening.

Type: Slicing cucumber
Size: 6-7 inches long
Growth: Bush variety, great for containers
Harvesting tip: Harvest when cucumbers are small for the best flavor and texture.
Best use: Fresh eating or salads

18. Telegraph Improved

Telegraph Improved cucumbers are long, smooth-skinned cucumbers with a mild flavor. They are typically grown in greenhouses but can thrive outdoors in warm climates.

Type: Greenhouse cucumber
Size: 10-12 inches long
Growth: Vigorous vines, best grown under cover
Harvesting tip: Pick cucumbers when they are fully grown but still tender.
Best use: Slicing or salads

19. Homemade Pickles

As the name suggests, **Homemade

Pickles** is a variety developed specifically for making pickles. The cucumbers are firm, crunchy, and ideal for pickling.

Type: Pickling cucumber
Size: 3-4 inches long
Growth: Disease-resistant vines, highly productive
Harvesting tip: Pick when the cucumbers are young and firm for the best pickles.
Best use: Pickling

20. Ashley

Ashley cucumbers are a heat-tolerant variety that grows well in warm climates. They are known for their long, dark green fruits and resistance to heat stress.

Type: Slicing cucumber
Size: 7-8 inches long
Growth: Resistant to heat and disease
Harvesting tip: Pick regularly to encourage continuous fruiting.
Best use: Slicing or salads

Tips for Growing Cucumbers

No matter which variety you choose, here are some general tips to help you grow cucumbers successfully:

1. Choose the Right Location

Cucumbers thrive in full sun, so choose a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day. They also prefer well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

2. Water Regularly

Cucumbers need consistent moisture to thrive. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather, and avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

3. Use Trellises

For vining cucumber varieties, use trellises to save space and keep the fruits off the ground. This also improves air circulation and reduces the risk of rot and pests.

4. Fertilize Properly

Feed your cucumber plants with a balanced fertilizer once they start flowering. Organic compost or a nitrogen-rich fertilizer works well to promote strong growth and high yields.

5. Harvest Regularly

Harvest cucumbers regularly to encourage the plants to keep producing. Pick them when they are still young and firm for the best flavor and texture.

Conclusion

Choosing the right cucumber variety for your garden depends on your needs, available space, and growing conditions. Whether you’re growing for fresh eating, pickling, or container gardening, there’s a cucumber variety that will thrive in your garden. By following the tips and advice provided in this guide, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of crisp, flavorful cucumbers all season long. Happy gardening!