Plant Care Exploding Cucumber

Exploding Cucumber

Also known as

Ecballium and Squirting cucumber

Taxonomy

Ecballium elaterium
Ecballium
Cucurbitaceae
Cucurbitales

How to care for Exploding Cucumber

💦 Water

How often to water your Exploding Cucumber

Water needs for Exploding Cucumber
0.5 cups
every 9

Exploding Cucumber needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Exploding Cucumber

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Exploding Cucumber in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Exploding Cucumber: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Exploding Cucumber love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Exploding Cucumber does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Exploding Cucumber in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Exploding Cucumber

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Exploding Cucumber: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Exploding Cucumber after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Exploding Cucumber is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Exploding Cucumber →

Common Exploding Cucumber Problems →


💦 Water Needs

Exploding Cucumber prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Exploding Cucumber Water Frequency →

Exploding Cucumber Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Exploding Cucumber requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Exploding Cucumber Light Requirements →

Exploding Cucumber Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Exploding Cucumber is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Exploding Cucumber is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Exploding Cucumber Edible? →

Exploding Cucumber Toxicity to Cats →

Exploding Cucumber Toxicity to Dogs →

Exploding Cucumber Toxicity to Humans →


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Exploding Cucumber is a naturally climbing plant and can be trained to climb indoors if you provide a moss pole or trellis. The newest growth will emerge from the end of the stems.

Exploding Cucumber Lifecycle →

Exploding Cucumber Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Exploding Cucumber →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Exploding Cucumber can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Exploding Cucumber Temperature Tolerance →

Exploding Cucumber Hardiness Zones →

Is Exploding Cucumber a Weed? →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Exploding Cucumber, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Exploding Cucumber

Exploding Cucumber

Exploding Cucumber


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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