How much sun do cucumbers need?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Cucumbers require 6 to 8 hours of direct sun to grow robustly and produce a sweet fruit. In my Arizona garden, over the summer heat season, I use 30% shade cloth for 4 hours of the day from 11 AM and onward. The sun in the morning dries the dew from the leaves faster, which helps reduce the chances of mildew. For Southern growers, the best side of the bed would be an east-facing bed that gets early light.
Climate-Specific Needs
- Arid regions: 6 hours sun + afternoon shade
- Coastal zones: Full 8 hours with windbreaks
- Northern climates: Maximize midday sun exposure
Shade Solutions
- Aluminum-reflective cloth for heat deflection
- Adjustable PVC frame systems
- Companion planting with tall corn rows
Monitoring Tools
- Sunlight tracker apps (e.g., Sun Surveyor)
- Soil thermometers for root zone temps
- Lux meters to measure light intensity
Before planting, monitor the path of the sun over three days. I take notes to map out which areas I take shade from tree cover. If you are using containers, I recommend rotating the pots daily to provide even exposure to the sun. Also, if you have a wall that faces south, keep your plants out the way 4 feet away, or risk burning leaves on a hot day due to heat reflection.
Strategic variety decisions are important in low-light situations. Cold-tolerant Marketmore develops well with only 5 hours of sun. Use Spacemaster 80 for shaded patios - it can produce 8-10 fruits in a week. In the event natural light is below minimum hours, use LED grow lights (14 hours per day).
Read the full article: How to Grow Cucumbers: Expert Tips for Beginners
