June 30, 2025, 1:26 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Anyone who has planted cucumbers in their garden or on their balcony is likely familiar with the issue of small cucumbers drying up for no apparent reason. myHOMEBOOK gardening expert Franka Kruse-Gering explains what might be causing this.
You nurture and care for your cucumbers from seed to small plant. The first cucumbers grow and taste great. But then comes the time when seemingly every small cucumber is rejected by the plant during its development. First, they turn yellow and eventually dry up. This can have several reasons.
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Why Cucumbers Turn Yellow and Dry Up on the Plant
When cucumbers dry up on the plant, it’s not immediately a cause for panic. It doesn’t always have to be a nasty disease or pests. Sometimes it’s just small care mistakes. A few weeks ago, I noticed that my cucumber plant was wilting. It was in direct sunlight, which it didn’t like. This is now taking its toll, as all the cucumbers that had developed up to that point are being shed.
Incorrect Watering Can Cause Cucumbers to Dry Up
First and foremost is incorrect watering. It can be too little or too much—regardless of which process was done incorrectly. The cucumber experiences significant stress and sheds the small cucumbers to conserve energy needed to compensate for the incorrect watering.
On average, a cucumber plant needs one to three liters per day. It varies depending on the cucumber variety. The outside temperatures are also important. On a particularly hot day, you should give the cucumber a bit more water.
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Too Many Fruits on the Plant
When the cucumber grows and thrives, it’s naturally nice to see. But too many small cucumbers on one plant can lead to some being rejected. A cucumber plant has only a certain amount of energy it can use. Some cucumbers are then supported and receive enough water and nutrients, while others are rejected. It can help to occasionally thin out the cucumbers or remove small ones before they dry up.
Too Few Nutrients
Cucumbers are heavy feeders. This means they have a high nutrient requirement. Support with fertilizer is therefore essential. The frequency depends on the specific fertilizer and the dosage instructions. There are also home remedies you can use to fertilize your cucumbers, but these only help occasionally, as they can never fully meet the complete nutrient needs.