When it comes to growing cucumbers in containers, many gardeners choose 5 gallon buckets as their planters of choice. 5 gallon buckets are an optimal size for growing 1-3 cucumber plants, depending on the cucumber variety and your desired yield. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how many cucumber plants can be successfully grown per 5 gallon bucket.
Quick Answer
Most experts recommend planting 1-2 cucumber plants per 5 gallon bucket. For smaller, bush cucumber varieties like ‘Bush Pickle’, 1 plant per bucket is sufficient. For larger vining varieties like ‘Marketmore 76’, 2 plants per bucket is ideal. With proper care and pruning, you can expect 8-15 full size cucumbers per plant.
Cucumber Plant Spacing in Containers
When deciding how many cucumber plants to grow per container, the most important factor is plant spacing. Cucumbers need adequate space for their roots to spread out and their vines to sprawl. Insufficient space will result in stunted, less productive plants.
In a 5 gallon bucket that is 12-14 inches wide, a good rule of thumb is to allow at least 6 inches of space between each plant if growing multiple plants per container. This equates to:
- 1 cucumber plant per 5 gallon bucket
- 2 cucumber plants per 5 gallon bucket
While it is possible to squeeze 3 plants in a 5 gallon bucket, the plants will be crowded and yields will suffer as a result. Two plants is ideal for maximizing growth and productivity.
Bush Cucumbers vs Vining Cucumbers
Another consideration is the cucumber variety. There are two main types of cucumbers – bush and vining:
- Bush cucumbers – Compact, smaller plants that only grow 1-2 feet tall. Well-suited to containers. Examples: ‘Bush Pickle’, ‘Bush Champion’, ‘Pot Luck’
- Vining cucumbers – Grow 6 feet or longer as vines that trail along the ground. Require more space. Examples: ‘Marketmore 76’, ‘Straight Eight’, ‘Lemon’
For smaller bush cucumber varieties, 1 plant per 5 gallon bucket is ideal. The compact growth habit allows adequate spacing for one plant.
For vining varieties, 2 plants per 5 gallon bucket is recommended. This provides enough space between plants while maximizing productivity in the container.
Growing Conditions for Container Cucumbers
To thrive, cucumbers require warm temperatures, lots of sunlight, and consistent soil moisture when grown in containers. Here are some tips for success:
- Grow cucumbers in full sun – At least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal.
- Use well-draining soil – Aim for a potting mix with ample organic matter to hold moisture while still draining well.
- Water 1-2 times per day – Check soil moisture and water when the top 1-2 inches become dry.
- Use trellises and prune vines – Trellis vines vertically or train along container edges to maximize space.
- Fertilize weekly – Cucumbers are heavy feeders. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer weekly.
- Monitor for pests – Check for cucumber beetles, aphids, mites and other common cucumber pests.
With the right care, cucumbers will thrive in 5 gallon containers on a sunny patio or balcony. Proper plant spacing and pruning are key to keeping plants productive in confined spaces.
Fertilizer Needs
Cucumbers require consistent feeding throughout the growing season. Here are some tips for fertilizing container cucumbers:
- Nitrogen for leafy growth – Cucumber vines consist mainly of leaves and stems. Adequate nitrogen encourages lush foliage.
- Phosphorus for roots and flowers – Phosphorus promotes healthy root growth and flowering.
- Potassium for fruiting – Potassium is key for good fruit set and quality fruits.
- Use a balanced fertilizer – Look for a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer to provide equal proportions of NPK.
- Fertilize weekly – Due to frequent watering, nutrients leach from containers. Fertilize at full strength weekly.
- Avoid over-fertilizing – Excess fertilizer can damage roots and leaves. Follow label rates.
With adequate fertilization, container cucumbers can produce 8-15 full size fruits per plant. Listen to your plants – if leaves are pale or yellowing, increase fertilizer. If tips burn, reduce the dosage.
Pollination Needs
Like all cucurbits, cucumbers require pollination to produce fruits. While bees provide efficient pollination in garden settings, container gardeners will need to hand pollinate.
Cucumbers have separate male and female flowers. Female flowers have a tiny fruit structure at the base, while male flowers have only a thin stem. To hand pollinate:
- Use a small paintbrush to collect pollen from male flowers.
- Gently dab the pollen onto the stigma of newly opened female flowers.
- Alternate between flowers to ensure thorough pollination.
- Hand pollinate daily while flowers are open.
Each successfully pollinated female flower will develop into a full size cucumber over the next 2 weeks. Expect to hand pollinate 1-2 flowers per plant every few days.
Tips for Improving Pollination
- Plant flowers like petunias nearby to attract pollinators.
- Use a fan to gently blow on vines which mimics wind pollination.
- Vibrate vines with your hand to shake pollen free.
- Use a small brush to “tickle” inside male flowers, releasing more pollen.
While hand pollinating takes diligence, it is very effective for container cucumbers with limited insect pollination. Expect a steady cucumber harvest with consistent flower pollination.
Pruning and Trellising
Left to sprawl, cucumber vines can easily take over a container. Pruning and trellising helps maximize space:
- Pinch main stem tips – Pinching off the main growing tip when it reaches container edges encourages branching for more fruit production.
- Remove large leaves – Prune off older leaves below developing cucumbers to improve air circulation.
- Train vines upward – Use a trellis or cage to train vines vertically. This prevents sprawling.
- Tie vines along edges– Affix vines to container edges with soft plant ties or clothespins.
Aim to maintain vines within the footprint of the container. Pruning and trellising improves air circulation and light exposure for better plant health and fruit yield.
Support Options for Container Cucumbers
Here are some good trellising options for container cucumbers:
- Plant support cages – Place a cylindrical wire cage in the container for vines to grow within.
- Bamboo stakes – Use 3-4 stakes around container edges to support vertical vine growth.
- Trellis panels – Affix a flat panel trellis to one side of the container for vines to climb.
- Netting – Crisscross plastic trellis netting over the container to create vertical support.
Choose a trellising method that fits your container type and space. Any support that keeps vines tidy and vertical will work well.
Ideal Cucumber Varieties for Containers
When selecting cucumber varieties for container growing, look for compact, prolific types suited to close quarters.
Here are some top compact cucumber varieties for 5 gallon buckets:
Bush Cucumbers
| Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| Bush Pickle | Mini 3″ fruits, abundant yields on 2′ vines |
| Bush Champion | Disease resistant, 4-5″ fruits on 2-3′ vines |
| Pot Luck | Prolific, burpless 6″ fruits, 2-3′ vines |
Semi-Bush Cucumbers
| Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| Spacemaster | Disease resistant, 8″ fruits on 3-4′ vines |
| Salad Bush | Tasty 6-8″ slicers, 3-4′ vines |
| Sweet Success | Burpless, crisp 8″ fruits, 3-4′ vines |
Bush and semi-bush cucumbers produce full size fruits on compact vines that don’t require much space. Harvest regularly to encourage prolific yields.
Container Size Recommendations
While 5 gallon buckets are a convenient size, you can also grow productive container cucumbers in these sizes:
- 3-5 gallon – Good for 1 bush cucumber or a patio variety like ‘Salad Bush’
- 10-15 gallon – Allows room for 2-3 vining cucumber plants
- Half barrel (~20 gallon) – Accommodates 3 vining cucumber plants
- Large pots (10+ gallon) – Choose wide, shallow pots for cucumber’s spreading roots
Match container size to the mature size of your desired cucumber variety. Bigger is generally better to provide adequate root room.
Tips for Growing in Smaller Containers
- Choose compact bush cucumber varieties
- Use trellises and prune rigorously to control size
- Water and fertilize frequently as roots are confined
- Limit to 1 plant per 3-5 gallon container
- Harvest fruits young and often
With extra care, you can successfully grow cucumbers in containers as small as 3-5 gallons. Stick to bush types and provide excellent growing conditions.
Companion Plants for Cucumbers
Certain companion plants can be strategically planted with cucumbers in a container to enhance growth and productivity.
Beneficial Companions
- Radishes – Repel cucumber beetles, deter fungal diseases
- Marigolds – Deter nematodes and other pests
- Dill – Boosts growth, attracts pollinators
- Nasturtiums – Traps aphids, deters whiteflies
- Petunias – Attract bees for better pollination
Interplant low-growing companion plants around the base of cucumber vines. They enhance flavor while deterring pests.
Avoid Planting With
- Potatoes – Stunt each other’s growth
- Aromatic herbs – Inhibit cucumber growth
- Melons & squash – Shared diseases and pests
- Pole beans – Compete for space and nutrients
Steer clear of these incompatible plants as companion plants for container cucumbers.
Growing Tips for Maximizing Container Yields
Here are some key tips for getting prolific cucumber yields from container plants:
- Provide support early – Add trellises and cages right after transplanting seedlings while vines are small.
- Pinch main stem tips – Pinch off the main growing tip once it reaches container edges to encourage branching.
- Hand pollinate daily – Use a brush to transfer pollen from male to female flowers for fruit set.
- Harvest often – Pick cucumbers young and regularly to increase yields.
- Maintenance prune – Remove large leaves and weak vines to improve air circulation.
- Ensure consistent moisture – Water when the top few inches of soil become dry. Drought stunts fruits.
With attentive care and plant management, each container cucumber plant can yield 8-15 or more full size cucumbers over a season.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Here are some potential issues and how to resolve them for healthy, productive container cucumbers:
Poor Fruit Set
Causes – Lack of pollination, low humidity, too much nitrogen fertilizer, drought stress, temperature swings
Solutions – Hand pollinate flowers daily, mist vines, reduce nitrogen, water consistently, provide heat protection
Misshapen Fruits
Causes – Inadequate pollination, inconsistent watering, humidity extremes, poor soil nutrition
Solutions – Hand pollinate thoroughly, improve watering habits, shelter plants from rain, fertilize regularly
Pests – Cucumber Beetles, Aphids, Mites
Solutions – Use row covers, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly, attract beneficial insects with flowers
Diseases – Powdery Mildew, Angular Leaf Spot, Mosaic Virus
Solutions – Space plants for good air flow, treat preventatively with neem oil, ensure soil drains well
Stunted Vines
Causes – Rootbound container, underwatering, low soil fertility, fungal issues
Solutions – Transplant to a larger container, improve watering consistency, fertilize more frequently, treat fungi
Monitor plants closely to catch issues early. Adjust care to resolve problems and get your container cucumbers back on track.
Container Growing Lets You Grow Cucumbers Anywhere
With the right variety choice and care, it’s easy to get a bountiful harvest of full sized cucumbers from containers. Compact bush types thrive in 5 gallon buckets, producing 8+ fruits per plant over the season. Even vining varieties can be successfully grown with proper trellising and pruning.
For the best results, provide cucumbers with warm sunny conditions, rich soil, frequent watering and hand pollination. Maintain vines within the container footprint by pinching, pruning and trellising. With attentive care, container cucumbers yield an abundant harvest on patios, balconies and anywhere space is limited.
