Apple Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seeds

The apple cucumber bears small pale fruits that look like apples and taste like mild summer cucumbers

The apple cucumber (Cucumis sativus), also known as the round cucumber, is a special cucumber form with small, apple-like fruits. They grow to around 6 cm, ripen from cream-white to pale green and, with their round shape, look more like small apples than classic long salad cucumbers. Their flavour is fresh, mild and slightly sweet, while the skin remains pleasantly tender and can be eaten.

As an old, open-pollinated cucumber variety, the apple cucumber is especially interesting for anyone who wants to grow unusual cucumbers for fresh eating in the garden. The fruits are excellent for snacking straight from the plant, for salads, cold platters and summery vegetable dishes. Their compact, round shape also makes them visually appealing and brings variety among classic cucumber varieties.

Botanically, the apple cucumber belongs to Cucumis sativus like other cucumbers, and therefore to the cucurbit family. Cucumbers are among the ancient cultivated plants and have been developed over a long period in many forms - from long salad cucumbers and pickling cucumbers to small-fruited specialities such as the apple cucumber. Varieties like these show just how diverse cucumbers can be when the focus is not only on length and uniformity, but also on flavour, shape and gardening character.

The plants are warmth-loving and, depending on the growing method, can be trained up a climbing support or allowed to trail along the ground. A climbing support makes harvesting easier, improves air circulation and keeps the fruits cleaner. In sheltered outdoor positions, in the greenhouse or in large containers, the apple cucumber develops reliably with a good water supply and produces small, aromatic cucumbers for fresh eating and summer cooking.