Bitter Cucumbers

Cucumber vine after rain

Part of the cucumber I had for supper tasted bitter.  I cut off the end that had been nearest the stem, and peeled the rest, and it tasted okay.  It wasn't too surprising to run into this bitterness, as we've had some hot weather recently.


Cucumber plants and leaves contain a substance called "cucurbitacin." Stress to the plant during times of drought or heat can cause the levels of this bitter-tasting compound to rise in the fruits as well.

There are several things you can do to prevent bitterness in cucumbers.  First of all, choose cultivars that are listed as "bitter-free" or "burpless." Cucumbers are heavy feeders; so be sure you dig in lots of rich compost when you plant them, and feed them again with organic fertilizer as plants begin to flower.  If the leaves are yellowish, the plants need more nitrogen.

The most important thing is to water evenly and regularly.  Be sure you give your cucumber plants plenty of water especially when the plant is flowering and fruiting.  Watering deeply once or twice a week is best. Try to give them an inch or inch and a half of water in a single application.  You can help keep the soil moist and cool by mulching around the plants.

If you're growing cucumbers in a hot climate, it could also help to moderate the heat by planting taller crops to the south or west of the cucumbers, or to put shade cloth to block some of the sunlight. I grow my cucumbers up trellises to save space and keep fruits off the ground, and I put a piece of shade cloth across from the top of one to the other to shade the plants during the heat of mid-day.

Taking a few precautions like these can help your cucumber vines provide you with plenty of tasty cucumbers all summer long.