The Viney Garden Plant You Can Enjoy Year Round By Growing Indoors

Indoor gardening has continued to grow in popularity, with more indoor gardeners willing to take chances on growing produce normally planted outside in planters or garden beds. We don't normally think of growing vegetables indoors, especially those like cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) that typically are grown in full sun and on trellises. In reality, cukes are among the edible plants perfect for growing indoors. Growing cucumbers inside your home isn't overly complicated, and the reward of being able to crunch into a summer veggie like cucumber in any season is sublime. You should even be able to trellis your indoor cucumbers with relative ease.

To get started, you'll want to choose the kind of cucumber you want to grow. Parthenocarpic cucumbers are the best variety of cucumber plants to grow indoors, because they don't require pollination to set fruit. Compact parthenocarpic varieties like 'Picolino' and 'Diva' are especially well-suited to indoor growing. You'll also want to understand the stages of growing cucumbers from seed to fruit.

Select pots that are large enough to hold the cucumber's deep root system; 5-gallon containers can work well to accommodate root development. Pots should, of course, have drainage holes. Plant your cukes from seeds or seedlings in a high-quality potting blend that is rich and well-draining. You can opt to create your own potting soil by mixing equal parts compost and peat moss, then adding perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage. 

Cucumbers are a good choice for folks who like they're homes warm. Ideally, cucumbers should be kept between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintain humidity levels around 60–70%.Water consistently to keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering, which can increase the risk of root rot. Good air circulation is important to prevent fungal issues, so make sure the plants aren't overcrowded. Bright light is key for successful indoor cucumbers. Position them close to a sunny window or supplement with grow lights if needed so the plants will get their required 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily.

Cucumbers thrive with vertical support, so you will likely want to trellis your cucumber plants. Place stakes in your pots to support cucumber vines to grow vertically. Wrap the main vine around the stake. Check the plant regularly and adjust stakes or the vine to ensure it's securely attached. Refer to the seed packet or plant label to know when the cucumbers are ready to harvest. When picking, use a sharp tool to cut the stem about a 1/4 inch above the fruit — avoid pulling or twisting, which can harm the plant.