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Botanically classified as a fruit, cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a versatile ingredient, providing crunch and freshness in countless cuisines around the world. Apart from the typical, elongated, green variety, cucumbers come in various shapes, sizes, and textures.
This summertime favorite belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family (known as cucurbits or gourd), consisting notably of bitter melon, calabash, pumpkin, squash, watermelon, and zucchini.
Dive into to the world of cucumbers to choose the best variety for your garden.
Common Cucumber Types
Cucumber is a hydrating produce (made of 96% water) that needs no peeling or seeding. In addition, a 300-gram, raw cucumber has a low calorie count that can aid with weight loss. Growing your own cucumbers at home grants you access to the nourishment of antioxidants and other vitamins.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, let’s take a look at the cucumber’s major classifications by traits and growth habits.
Heirloom and Hybrid Cucumbers
Just like other fresh produce, cucumbers are classified by heirloom and hybrid varieties.
Ideal for seed saving, heirloom cucumber varieties are true to seed, giving you the same traits as the parent plant. To be considered heirloom, a variety should be free from cross-breeding for at least 40 to 50 years. Heirloom varieties stand the test of time by handing down seeds from generation to generation, commonly in ethnic, family, or religious units of certain geographic regions. There’s a tendency, however, that heirloom varieties are more prone to disease and pests.
Anthracnose, bacterial wilt, blossom-end rot, downy mildew, Fusarium wilt, gummy stem blight, and powdery mildew are common diseases in cucumber and other cucurbit plants. Pests such as aphids, cucumber beetles, root-knot nematodes, spider mites, and whiteflies can damage your cucumbers during the growing season.
Hybrid cucumber varieties can be bred to withstand these issues. Agriculturists carry out motivated cross-breeding of two cucumber varieties to improve growth, resistance, and yield. Texture and flavor of the hybrid cucumber can be enhanced. Thus, hybrid varieties are more suitable for large-scale production of cucumbers, but no permanent seed line is created in most resulting hybrids.
Pickling, Seedless, and Slicing Cucumbers
Different cucumber varieties can be classified in three main cultivar groupings — pickling, seedless, and slicing.
Pickling cucumbers are dwarf in size with a thin skin and spine. These characteristics make them suitable for pickling in brine, sugar, vinegar, and other ingredients.
Seedless varieties lack mature seeds. They are often called Burpless cucumbers because some people experience indigestion from cucumber seeds and skins.
The slicing cucumbers are perfect for raw consumption. They tend to be longer and thicker compared to pickling varieties.
Continue below for popular varieties of these cucumber types.
Bush and Vining Cucumbers
Cucumbers have two primary growth habits. It’s best to identify the growth habit of your chosen cucumber variety before planting. This step ensures your garden space is equipped and suited for growing them.
Bush varieties have a compact plant structure, requiring no additional support to flourish. Bush cucumber types are excellent for container planting or growing in small spaces. You can grow them in raised beds.
On the other hand, vining varieties can be left on the ground to sprawl, or climb on a support like a trellis. Take note — vining cucumbers tend to yield more produce than bush varieties due to their larger size.
If you’re in a rush to harvest, consider planting bush types as they can yield earlier.
Other Popular Cucumber Groupings
Let’s look at some of the popular cucumber varieties grouped by specific traits.
Types of Cucumber Colors
In grocery stores, common cucumbers have a dark green skin. However, there are varieties that have bright yellow skins, and others that have melded the two colors into molted and striped patterns.
| Cucumber Colors | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Green Cucumbers | Diva (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Eversweet F1 (True Leaf Market) Green Dragon Burpless F1 (True Leaf Market) Marketer (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market Slice More (Territorial Seed Company) Sweet-Slice (Territorial Seed Company) Sweet Success (Eden Brothers) |
| Striped Cucumbers | Armenian Striped (True Leaf Market) Mexican Sour Gherkin (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Painted Serpent (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Suyo Long (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| White/Yellow Cucumbers | Armenian (True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company) Crystal Apple (True Leaf Market) Lemon (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Martini (Territorial Seed Company) Miniature White Pickle (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company) White Wonder (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
Types of Cucumber Flavors
Apart from the invigorating — slightly vegetal — flavor of cucumbers, there are varieties that taste sweet and tangy.
| Cucumber Flavors | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Melony/Mild Cucumbers | Carolina F1 (True Leaf Market) Dragon Suhyo Cross (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Marketer (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Palace King (True Leaf Market) Southern Delight (True Leaf Market) Zipangu Hybrid (True Leaf Market) |
| Sweet Cucumbers | Burpee II (True Leaf Market) Green Dragon Burpless F1 (True Leaf Market) Paraiso (Territorial Seed Company) Sweet Success Hybrid (True Leaf Market) Tendergreen Burpless (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Wisconsin SMR 58 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Tangy Cucumbers | Bush Hog (Eden Brothers) Lemon (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Mexican Sour Gherkin (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) National Pickling (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
Types of Growth Habits
Get to know the most common cucumber varieties in both the bush and vining categories.
| Growth Habits | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Bush Cucumbers | Burpless Bush Slicer F1 (True Leaf Market) Garden Bush Pickle F1 (True Leaf Market) Patio Snacker (Territorial Seed Company) Pick a Bushel (True Leaf Market) Salad Bush (True Leaf Market) Spacemaster (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Vining Cucumbers | Boston Pickling (True Leaf Market) Double Yield (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Japanese Progress (True Leaf Market) Rhinish Pickle (True Leaf Market) Soarer (True Leaf Market) Summer Top (True Leaf Market) |
Types of Cucumber Shapes
Cucumbers are not exclusively cylindrical in shape.
| Cucumber Shapes | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Curvy Cucumbers | Armenian Pale Green (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Armenian Yard-Long (True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Lime Crisp (Territorial Seed Company) Metki Dark Green Serpent (Rare Seeds) Painted Serpent (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Suyo Long (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Spherical Cucumbers | Bush Hog (Eden Brothers) Crystal Apple (True Leaf Market) Lemon (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Mexican Sour Gherkin (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) West Indian Gherkin (True Leaf Market) |
| Upright Cucumbers | Green 18 (Territorial Seed Company) Pepinex (Territorial Seed Company) Slice More (Territorial Seed Company) Socrates (Territorial Seed Company) Southern Delight (True Leaf Market) Telegraph Improved (Territorial Seed Company) |
Types of Cucumber Exterior Textures
The exterior texture of cucumber varieties can affect your enjoyment during consumption. You may need a peeler for the thick–skinned cukes.
| Cucumber Exterior Textures | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Cucumber Colors | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
| Thick-Skinned Cucumbers | Armenian Striped (True Leaf Market) Dragon Suhyo Cross (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Palace Pride (True Leaf Market) Summer Dance (Territorial Seed Company) Tasty Green (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Zipangu Hybrid (True Leaf Market) |
| Thin-Skinned Cucumbers | Green Light (True Leaf Market) Mini-Me (Territorial Seed Company) Muncher (True Leaf Market) Muncher Burpless (True Leaf Market) National Pickling (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Pepinex (Territorial Seed Company) |
Types of Cucumber Interior Textures
The crunch in most cucumbers provides a stimulating texture in salads and other dishes.
| Cucumber Interior Textures | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Crisp Cucumbers | Burpless Bush Slicer F1 (True Leaf Market) Carolina F1 (True Leaf Market) English Telegraph (True Leaf Market) Long Green Improved Slicing (True Leaf Market) Parisian Gherkin F1 (True Leaf Market) Rhinish Pickle (True Leaf Market) |
| Tender Cucumbers | Ashley (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Bush Crop (True Leaf Market) Bush Pickle (True Leaf Market) Marketmore 76 (True Leaf Market) Sweet Success (Eden Brothers) Wisconsin SMR 58 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
Types of Geographic Origins
Wild cucumber plants are believed to have originated in India and Western Asia. Years of cultivation has spread the plant to parts of ancient Europe, the Mediterranean, and Middle East.
| Geographic Origins | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| European and Mediterranean Cucumbers | Dutch Yellow or Gele Tros (Rare Seeds) English Telegraph (True Leaf Market) Monika (Rare Seeds) Parisian Pickle (True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Pioneer F1 (True Leaf Market) Rhinish Pickle (True Leaf Market) |
| North American Cucumbers | Addis (True Leaf Market) Arkansas Little Leaf (True Leaf Market) Boston Pickling (True Leaf Market) Double Yield (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) National Pickling (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Wisconsin SMR 58 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Asian Cucumbers | Dragon Suhyo Cross (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Housaku (True Leaf Market) Palace King (True Leaf Market) Soarer (True Leaf Market) Tasty Green (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Yamato Sanjaku (True Leaf Market) |
Types of Culinary Uses
You can maximize the flavor and texture of cucumbers at mealtime using the proper variety.
| Culinary Uses | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Cucumbers for Juicing | Ashley (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Bella (Territorial Seed Company) Muncher (True Leaf Market) Muncher Burpless (True Leaf Market) Pepinex (Territorial Seed Company) Sweet Success (Eden Brothers) |
| Cucumbers for Pickling | Boston Pickling (True Leaf Market) Diamant (Territorial Seed Company) Homemade Pickles (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) National Pickling (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Provision (Territorial Seed Company) Regal (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Cucumbers for Raw Applications | Beit Alpha F1 CMR/MMR (True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Dragon Suhyo Cross (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Garden Bush Slicer F1 (True Leaf Market) Housaku (True Leaf Market) Straight 8 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Tasty Green (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
Types of Disease Resistance
Heirloom and hybrid cucumbers have a degree of resistance toward common plant diseases. Some varieties are more disease prone than others.
| Disease Resistance | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Disease Resistant Cucumbers | Ashley (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Marketmore 80 (True Leaf Market) Paraiso (Territorial Seed Company) Regal (Territorial Seed Company) Spacemaster (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Wisconsin SMR 58 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Susceptible Cucumbers | Bush Crop (True Leaf Market) Lemon (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) |
Types of Preferred Growing Conditions
Different growth habits have varying needs. For example, ample garden space is necessary for vining cucumber varieties to thrive.
| Preferred Growing Conditions | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Container Cucumbers | Bush Hog (Eden Brothers) Mexican Sour Gherkin (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Miniature White (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company) Patio Snacker (Territorial Seed Company) Pick a Bushel (True Leaf Market) Spacemaster (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Field Cucumbers | China Long (True Leaf Market) Dragon Suhyo Cross (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Housaku (True Leaf Market) Picolino (Territorial Seed Company) Summer Dance (Territorial Seed Company) Tasty Green (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Greenhouse Cucumbers | Excelsior (Territorial Seed Company) Green Light (True Leaf Market) Manny (Territorial Seed Company) Pepinex (Territorial Seed Company) Socrates (Territorial Seed Company) Telegraph Improved (Territorial Seed Company) |
Popular Varieties of English or Seedless Cucumbers
The English cucumber is well-loved for its refreshing flesh and thin, deep-green skin. In supermarkets and farmers markets, these seedless cucumbers are often wrapped in plastic to maintain their freshness and avoid exterior bruising. If you’re looking for a raw slicing cucumber, opt for any of the English varieties as they are suitable in cocktails, dips, juices, salads, and sandwiches. They are also called Burpless or Hothouse cucumbers.
| Variety | Description | Growth Habit | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diva | Diva is a self-pollinating variety that produces 6 to 8 inch long, semi glossy cucumbers. In 2002, this variety bagged an All-America Selection award for its disease resistance and high yield. | Vining | 58 to 65 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| English Telegraph | Resistant to powdery mildew, the English Telegraph variety yields mild-tasting cucumbers about 12 to 18 inches long. | Vining | 60 to 65 days | True Leaf Market |
| Pepinex | Expect nonbitter cucumbers from the Pepinex variety. Peeling is not necessary as the cucumbers have thin, neat skin. Pepinex boasts intermediate resistance to downy and powdery mildew. | Vining | 65 to 70 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Poniente | Poniente produces slightly ribbed cucumbers reaching 12 to 13 inches under optimal conditions. This variety has high resistance to scab (Cladosporium cucumerinum) disease, and intermediate resistance to cucumber mosaic virus, cucumber vein yellowing, and cucurbit yellow stunting disorder. | Vining | 51 to 56 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Sweet Success | An All-America Selections winner, Sweet Success is a high-producing cucumber variety with resistance to diseases like cucumber mosaic virus and target leaf spot. | Vining | 55 to 60 days | Eden Brothers |
| Telegraph Improved | Suitable for greenhouse and outdoor field planting, Telegraph Improved has a plant structure creeping as high as 8 feet. Enjoy mild-flavored cucumbers from this variety. | Vining | 60 to 65 days | Territorial Seed Company |
Popular Varieties of Lemon Cucumbers
Perfect for fresh eating and pickling, this cucumber type resembles — you guessed it right — lemons! They come in a round shape with a yellow skin that can brighten your raised bed or vegetable garden. Considered a rare variety, Lemon cucumbers are incredibly refreshing and sweet without the bitter after taste found in some cucumber types.
| Variety | Description | Growth Habit | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Apple | Sometimes called Crystal Lemon, Crystal Apple was first popular in Australia and New Zealand before its introduction to the U.S. market in 1934. It produces mild, apple-shaped cucumbers that are ideal for early harvest. | Vining | 65 to 70 days | True Leaf Market |
| Lemon | First introduced in 1894, this variety is an heirloom summer favorite due to its distinct shape and color. You can never go wrong with slices of Lemon cucumber in salads. This variety of cucumber provides a hint of sweetness and add color to your mixed greens. | Semi-bush | 65 to 70 days | Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market |
Popular Varieties of Kirby or Pickling Cucumbers
Kirby cucumber varieties are easy to spot due to their short size and bumpy skin. Their innate crunchiness remains even after pickling, or you can enjoy them fresh as a side.
| Variety | Description | Growth Habit | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Pickling | An heirloom first introduced in 1877, Boston Pickling grows cucumbers around 2 to 6 inches long. These are also known as Green Prolific. | Vining | 55 to 60 days | True Leaf Market |
| National Pickling | In collaboration with the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, the National Pickle Packers Association developed the National Pickling variety to be resistant to cucumber mosaic virus. | Vining | 55 to 60 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Parisian Pickle | Fitting for indoor or outdoor sowing, the Parisian Pickle is a high-yield variety of seedless cucumbers. It was first listed in the U.S. by J. H. Gregory in 1892. | Semi-bush | 60 to 65 days | True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds |
| Pick a Bushel | Pick a Bushel is an All-America Selection awardee in 2014. Due to its condensed size, it is a good choice for patio gardening. | Bush | 50 to 55 days | True Leaf Market |
| Rhinish Pickle | Rhinish is a German heirloom that produces dark-spined, bumpy cucumbers. This is an early maturing variety. | Vining | 55 to 65 days | True Leaf Market |
| Wisconsin SMR 58 | Recommended for planting in Utah, Wisconsin SMR 58 yields thick, pickling cucumbers productively. Additionally, this is a disease resistant to cucumber mosaic virus and scab disease. | Vining | 55 to 60 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
Popular Varieties of Persian Cucumbers
Persian cucumbers are similar to English cucumbers, but grow shorter. Most chefs tend to use them interchangeably in recipes.
| Variety | Description | Growth Habit | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beit Alpha F1 CMR/MMR | Seedless with a sweet taste, the Beit Alpha cucumber is a gynoecious cultivar (producing mainly female flowers) with an easy-to-consume soft skin. Its crisp, white flesh is a great addition in summer salads. | Vining | 55 to 60 days | True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds |
| Socrates | Growing 7-inch cucumbers, the Socrates variety is resistant to powdery mildews and scab disease. | Vining | 52 to 55 days | Territorial Seed Company |
Other Varieties of Cucumber
Some cultivars of cucumber are rarer than others, and some varieties are not botanically under the same species.
Popular Varieties of Gherkin Cucumbers
Often referred to as baby pickles, Gherkin cucumbers are another popular choice for pickling. Due to their small size, they can easily fit into a jar to ferment in brine. In French cuisine, they are known as Cornichons, processed with vinegar and tarragon, and served alongside charcuterie boards. North American counterparts have a sweet flavor, usually mixed with sugar.
| Variety | Description | Growth Habit | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamant | Another early maturing variety, Diamant possesses high resistance to powdery mildew and scab disease, and intermediate resistance to mosaic virus and downy mildew. | Vining | 47 to 50 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Parisian Gherkin F1 | Crunchy and sweet, the Parisian Gherkin F1 yields beautiful, black-spined cucumbers in a semi-vining plant structure, which can easily fit in containers. | Vining | 50 to 55 days | True Leaf Market |
| Mexican Sour Gherkin | This variety offers a tangy punch to the usual crisp and vegetal cucumber flavor. Other names for this variety include Mouse Melon and Cucamelon. | Vining | 75 to 80 days | Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds |
| West Indian Gherkin | West Indian Gherkin cucumber has a distinct mottled look with a spine-covered skin. | Vining | 50 to 65 days | True Leaf Market |
Popular Varieties of Armenian Cucumbers
Considered to be the most complex, Armenian cucumbers or Cucumis melo var. flexuosus are not technically cucumbers, but a close relative. They look and taste so similar that most people use them in cucumber recipes. These are also known as Snake Cucumbers, Snake Melons, and Yard-Long cucumbers.
| Variety | Description | Growth Habit | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armenian | This heavily ribbed cucumber can reach 2 to 3 feet long. Using this variety in the kitchen will save you time as it requires no peeling to enjoy. | Vining | 60 to 65 days | True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company |
| Armenian Pale Green | A lighter variety of the classic Armenian, this pale green counterpart works wonders in salads due to its tender skin and mild flavor. | Vining | 60 to 65 days | Eden Brothers |
| Armenian Striped | This variety has vertical stripes of color. You can harvest the cucumbers once they mature between 8 to 18 inches. | Vining | 50 to 75 days | True Leaf Market |
| Metki Dark Green Serpent | The Metki Dark Green Serpent comes with a deep green skin, growing at least 12 inches (and 18 inches at most). | Vining | 65 to 70 days | Rare Seeds |
FAQ About Types of Cucumber
Which cucumber type is ideal for juicing?
Seedless cucumber varieties are excellent thin-skinned fruits for juicing. You will have no problem processing these varieties due to their soft skin and seedless nature.
Which cucumber varieties can be planted in containers?
Bush-type cucumbers have compact sizes that can easily thrive in containers or small spaces. Consider planting Burpless Bush Slicer F1, Garden Bush Pickle F1, Patio Snacker, Salad Bush, or Spacemaster.
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