Yes, You Can Grow Cucumbers Vertically—Here's How (2024)

Fresh and crunchy cucumbers are among the most popular vegetables to grow in a warm and sunny backyard. However, these fast-growing, spreading plants can take up a lot of room in your vegetable plot.

Learn when and how to grow cucumbers vertically to save space and promote better air circulation and healthy, even growth.

Factors to Consider When Growing Cucumbers Vertical

There are some universal factors to consider whatever technique you use for growing your cucumbers vertically.

Cucumber Type

The most common types of cucumbers are fast-growing, long-stemmed trailing vine varieties that climb or spread widely across the ground. These are the ones best suited to growing vertically. Bush cucumbers are less common. They produce smaller fruits and have a more compact growth habit with shorter vines that remain close to the ground.

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to vining cucumber varieties for growing vertically. A few popular options are Armenian, Boston pickling, straight eight, and lemon cucumber.

Guiding

Whatever method you select for growing your cucumbers vertically, they will likely need a helping hand to start winding their way around the upright support. Twist the fast-growing tendrils gently around the support and secure, taking care not to bend and snap the vines.

Cucumber Care

When it comes to growing cucumbers, whether that’s vertically or spreading on the ground, you need to provide the right location and conditions. Some key requirements for a healthy and abundant cucumber harvest include:

• Choose a full-sun position
• Amend loose, well-draining soil with organic matter
• Regularly water to provide even moisture (without being soggy)
• Fertilize these heavy feeders regularly
• Harvest before cucumbers turn yellow and bitter
• Pick appropriate cucumber companion plants, such as legumes and root vegetables

How to Grow Cucumbers Vertically on a Trellis

Trellises are the most common tool for growing cucumbers vertically. It’s possible to purchase a bespoke structure, but you can also fashion a DIY cucumber trellis if you’re on a budget or enjoy upcycling.

You can make an A-frame or fence-attaching trellis from various materials, including chicken wire, PVC piping, bamboo plant stakes, or cattle panels.

Some key considerations when growing cucumbers vertically on a trellis include:

1. Select a structure that is at least 5 to 7 feet tall to accommodate the tall vines.
2. Ensure the structure is strong enough to withstand the weight of the mature, fruit-bearing vines.
3. Stake the structure into the ground or attach it to a fence to prevent it from toppling with the weight of the harvest or strong winds.
4. Sow the seeds at the base of the trellis (you don’t want to have to transplant the vines as they grow).
5. Space each established cucumber plant at least 12 inches apart along the base of the trellis.
6. Gently train the vines around the trellis support as they lengthen and sprawl.
7. Support the vine tendrils by securing them to the trellis with plant ties, string, garden velcro, or tape.

How to Grow Cucumbers Vertically in a Container Garden

If your garden is mostly hardscaping, it’s possible to vertically grow cucumbers in container gardens on your sunny decking or porch.

Some key considerations when growing cucumbers vertically in a container garden include:

1. You will still need some support for your vining plant. You could use tall bamboo stakes (at least 6 feet tall) and string set up around the pot perimeter. Tie the canes together at the top to create a cone-like supportive structure. Alternatively, situate your container near a fence and attach a trellis.
2. You’ll need a big pot—one that’s 18 inches in diameter and 18 deep, with a five-gallon volume at a minimum.
3. The pot should have good drainage holes, but steer clear of porous terracotta. This can quickly soak up moisture, which isn’t ideal for cucumbers, which like the soil to remain evenly moist.
4. Container-grown cucumbers need more regular watering and feeding than those grown in the ground.
5. Set the pot up on the sunniest, warmest spot on your patio. Lifting a heavy cucumber container into its location later isn’t good for your back.

How to Grow Cucumbers Vertically on a Pergola

Climbing roses might be one of the most popular vines to grow on a pergola. However, if this structure gets enough sun, it’s also the perfect solution for supporting growing cucumbers vertically.

1. Plant your cucumbers at the foot of the structure, securing them to the supporting posts with garden twine, such as jute or sisal.
2. Plant the cucumbers in large containers next to the posts if your pergola sits on hardscaping.
3. As the cucumber plant grows, slowly guide the vines onto the overhead structure, securing them with garden twine across the trellising as you go.
4. The fruits will hang down from the pergola canopy. When your cucumbers are ready to harvest, it’s super simple to snip them off.