When I first started gardening, cucumbers were the first veggies I wanted to grow. You know how it goes – every newbie has a few mishaps before figuring out what their plants really need!
My first batch of cucumbers turned out small and sad-looking. I followed all the care instructions, so the only culprits left were the plants nearby (let’s just say they did NOT get along).
These unhelpful companions hogged all the nutrients and crowded my cucumbers, even inviting pests that threatened my fragile little cukes!
Luckily, I learned my lesson – not all plants make good friends in the garden!
If you’re facing similar problems with your cucumbers, these plants might be to blame. Yes, I’m talking about…
1. Mint, A Lovely Herb That Can Take Over Your Garden
We all love mint, but there’s a huge downside to it – it loves to spread out and take over your garden!
With these types of plants, it’s best to keep them in pots and planted away from cucumbers. If you plant it in the garden, mint will take up all the space and nutrients, leaving little for your cukes to thrive.
Learn from my mistakes and give mint its own spot so it doesn’t crowd out the cucumbers!
2. Sunflowers Can Only Slow Down Your Cukes
It’s hard to believe that cheery sunflowers could have a dark side, but it’s true! They release natural compounds that can slow down the growth of nearby plants, especially cucumbers.
They cast such a heavy shade that your cukes can barely get any sunlight. Poor nutrient and sunlight availability can significantly cut down on their harvest (you won’t even get to pickle one jar of cucumbers).
So, to keep both plants happy, I would recommend you give sunflowers and cucumbers their own separate places in the garden.
Related: Here Are The Best And Worst Plants To Grow Near Your Sunflowers
3. Fennel Ruins Your Cucumbers By Releasing Chemicals In The Soil
I know fennel can be delicious, but if you’re thinking about adding it to your garden, keep in mind that it releases chemicals that tend to slow down neighboring plants (including our beloved cucumbers).
Cukes planted close to fennel won’t grow as well, with smaller harvests and lower-quality fruit. This tasty plant also attracts pests like aphids and caterpillars, which could do extra harm to your cucumbers.
If you were to grow both of them in the garden, make sure there’s some distance between the two!
4. Squash And Cucumbers Are Relatives That Don’t Get Along
Planting squash too close to cucumbers can invite a whole crowd of pests to the scene.
That’s because squash and cucumbers are in the same plant family, so they share pests like powdery mildew and squash vine borers. One annoying critter (the pickleworm) will even go after both squash and cucumber fruits.
To keep your cucumbers safe, it’s best to give these family members a little space.
5. Melons Attract Pests That Can Harm Your Cukes As Well
Same family alert!
Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are cousins to cucumbers in the Cucurbitaceae family, meaning they attract the same pests and diseases, such as cucumber beetles and powdery mildew.
Growing them together can mean more bugs and disease spreading around, which often leads to lower yields and poorer fruit quality.
Keeping these plants separated can help reduce the risk of cross-infection and keep your harvest healthier.
Related: Cucumber Leaves Turning Yellow? 5 Causes And Their Solutions
6. Zucchini And Cucumbers Need Similar Care But Aren’t Exactly The Best Neighbors
Even though cucumbers and zucchini come from the same family and share growing needs (plenty of sunlight, well-drained soil, and lots of water), they still aren’t the best garden neighbors.
Since they attract the same pests and diseases, like gray mold, mildew, and cucumber mosaic virus, planting them side by side can make these issues even worse.
Some distance between them helps reduce the spread and keeps both plants in top shape!
Related: Save Your Zucchinis From 5 Awful Pests With These Simple Tricks
7. Sage Won’t Cleanse Or Heal Your Cucumbers
Sage isn’t exactly the best buddy for cucumbers in the garden.
For one, its strong aroma can mess with that fresh cucumber flavor we all love. They’ll also end up competing for water, which can leave cucumbers thirsty and possibly stunting their growth.
It would probably be a good idea to keep sage and other herbs away from your cukes (I usually grow mine in pots!).
Related: Popular Herbs You Shouldn’t Grow Near Cucumbers
8. Potatoes Are Big Feeders That Can Take Up All The Nutrients
Even though potatoes grow underground, they are still not good companions to cucumbers.
That’s because they’re both susceptible to blight, which can take out both plants if it spreads. And they’re both big feeders, so they’ll end up fighting over nutrients – potatoes usually take the upper hand with their deep roots, leaving cucumbers a bit deprived.
So, plant one or the other if you have a small garden. But if you have enough garden space, I’m sure you’ll find room for both of these plants!
Just remember, if you want your cucumbers to thrive, it’s important how you grow them and where you grow them. Not all plants are allies, so pick and choose wisely!
Related: Find Out If Cucumbers Are Friendly To Each Other And How Far Apart They Should Be Planted