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1245 products
1245 products
Cucumis metuliferus
African Horned Cucumber, also known as Kiwano, Jelly Melon and Horned Melon, is an extraordinary African cucurbit producing oval fruits covered in prominent horn-like spines. Fruits mature from green to a brilliant orange, while the interior remains translucent, emerald-green and jelly-like, filled with edible seeds.
The flavour is mild, fresh and subtly sweet-tart, often described as a combination of cucumber, banana and lime. The pulp can be spooned straight from the shell, added to fruit salads, desserts, drinks and smoothies, or used as a striking garnish. The hollowed orange shells also make wonderfully unusual serving vessels.
Native to sub-Saharan Africa, Cucumis metuliferus is adapted to warm conditions and can cope remarkably well with heat and periods of dry weather once established. Kiwano has also been grown in Australia for generations, with an old story suggesting that seed was brought home by Australian soldiers returning from the Boer War.
The vigorous vines sprawl or climb readily and benefit from plenty of space or a sturdy trellis. Plants are productive in warm weather, and the mature orange fruits are exceptional keepers. Their tough skin allows undamaged fruit to be stored for an extended period at room temperature after harvest.
Approximately 40 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring after frost to early summer
Cold climates: Start under protection in spring and transplant after all danger of frost
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 10–20 mm deep directly into warm soil or raise in trays for transplanting. Keep consistently moist during germination.
Transplant or thin seedlings to approximately 60–100 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Provide a strong trellis if growing vertically, or allow plenty of room for vines to ramble along the ground.
Water regularly during establishment, flowering and fruit development. Harvest young green fruits if using similarly to cucumber, or allow them to mature fully to orange for the characteristic jelly-like pulp and best storage life.
Not available for delivery to Western Australia.
Cucumis melo
Armenian Cucumber is an unusual heirloom producing long, slender, heavily ribbed fruits with pale green skin and crisp, juicy flesh. Despite its common name and cucumber-like appearance, it is actually a type of melon, Cucumis melo, rather than a true cucumber.
Also known as Yard Long Cucumber, Snake Cucumber and Burpless Cucumber, the fruits can reach approximately 60–90 cm long but are generally at their sweetest and most tender when harvested around 20–30 cm. The thin skin does not need peeling and the small seed cavity leaves plenty of crisp flesh for eating.
The flavour is mild, refreshing and cucumber-like, without the bitterness sometimes associated with conventional cucumbers. Excellent sliced fresh into salads, sandwiches and dips, Armenian Cucumber can also be pickled or used anywhere a conventional cucumber would be used.
Plants are vigorous, heat-loving and prolific, producing long rambling vines through warm weather. Fruits allowed to grow along the ground often curl into distinctive serpentine shapes, while those hanging freely from a trellis tend to develop much straighter.
Because Armenian Cucumber is Cucumis melo, seed savers should treat it as a melon rather than a cucumber. It can cross-pollinate with compatible melons of the same species, but will not cross with common cucumbers (Cucumis sativus).
Approximately 20 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring after frost to early summer
Cold climates: Spring after the last frost, or start earlier under protection
Planting / Sowing
Sow directly into warm soil approximately 10–20 mm deep, or raise in pots for transplanting once conditions have warmed. Keep consistently moist during germination.
Space plants approximately 60–100 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Provide a sturdy trellis for straighter fruits and easier harvesting, or allow vines plenty of room to ramble along the ground.
Water deeply and consistently during flowering and fruit development. Harvest regularly at approximately 20–30 cm for the best texture and flavour, although fruits can be allowed to grow considerably larger.
Maturity: approximately 50–75 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucumis sativus
Crystal Apple is a charming Australian heirloom Cucumber producing crisp, oval fruits with distinctive creamy-white to pale yellow skin. Sweet, juicy and crunchy, the rounded fruits resemble small apples and are an excellent choice for fresh eating.
This historic variety was introduced by Yates in Australia around 1930 and has remained a favourite with home gardeners for its excellent flavour, unusual appearance and prolific production. The fruits are best harvested young while the skin is pale and tender, before they become overly mature and develop deeper yellow colouring.
Crystal Apple has crisp, refreshing flesh and a mild sweetness that makes it particularly good eaten straight from the garden, sliced into salads and sandwiches, added to cold dishes or used for pickling.
Plants are vigorous and very productive through warm weather. The vines can be allowed to ramble across the ground or trained vertically onto a trellis, which can improve airflow, save space and make the pale fruits easier to spot and harvest.
Approximately 25 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring after frost to early summer
Cold climates: Spring after the last frost, or start earlier under protection
Planting / Sowing
Sow directly into warm soil approximately 10–20 mm deep, or raise in pots and transplant once conditions have warmed. Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Provide a trellis for vertical growth or allow vines sufficient room to ramble. Keep plants consistently watered, particularly during flowering and fruit development, as irregular moisture can affect fruit quality.
Harvest regularly while fruits are young, crisp and creamy-white to pale yellow. Frequent picking encourages plants to continue flowering and producing.
If saving seed, Crystal Apple can cross-pollinate with other Cucumis sativus cucumber varieties flowering nearby, so adequate isolation is required to maintain the variety true to type.
Maturity: approximately 65 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucumis sativus
Dragon's Egg is a distinctive Croatian heirloom Cucumber producing small, oval fruits with smooth, creamy-white to pale lemon skin. Their unusual shape and colouring give them the appearance of oversized eggs hanging amongst the foliage, making this a particularly attractive variety in the vegetable garden.
The thin skin is tender and edible, while the flesh is crisp, juicy and pleasantly sweet with very little bitterness. Dragon's Egg is particularly good eaten straight from the garden, sliced into salads and sandwiches, served with dips or added to fresh summer dishes.
Plants are vigorous, productive and relatively easy to grow, producing generously when regularly harvested. The vines can be allowed to ramble across the ground or trained onto a trellis. Vertical growing is particularly useful for improving airflow, keeping fruits clean and making the pale cucumbers easier to spot amongst the foliage.
Dragon's Egg thrives in warm conditions with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost or well-aged manure. Consistent moisture is particularly important during flowering and fruit development to encourage crisp, well-shaped fruits.
Approximately 15 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring after frost to early summer
Cold climates: Spring after the last frost, or start earlier under protection
Planting / Sowing
Sow directly into warm soil approximately 10–20 mm deep, or raise in pots and transplant once conditions have warmed. Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Provide a trellis for vertical growth or allow vines sufficient room to ramble. Water deeply and consistently, particularly during flowering and fruit development.
Harvest regularly while fruits are small, creamy-white to pale lemon and still tender. Frequent picking encourages continued flowering and production and provides the best eating quality.
If saving seed, Dragon's Egg can cross-pollinate with other Cucumis sativus cucumber varieties flowering nearby, so adequate isolation is required to maintain the variety true to type.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucumis sativus
Giant Russian is an unusual heirloom Cucumber producing large, substantial fruits on vigorous, heavy-bearing vines. The crisp, sweet flesh remains mild even as the fruit matures, making this a particularly useful variety for gardeners who find conventional cucumbers become bitter or unpleasant when left on the vine too long.
Young fruits can be harvested and eaten like a conventional cucumber, while mature fruits reach approximately 20 cm long and 12.5 cm across. As they ripen, the skin changes from yellow to a distinctive orange-brown colour. The flesh remains crisp and pleasant, with a mild flavour.
Excellent for fresh eating, salads and sandwiches, Giant Russian is also valued as a storage cucumber. Fully mature, undamaged fruits develop a firmer skin and can be stored for several months under suitable cool, dry conditions, extending the cucumber harvest well beyond the growing season.
Plants are vigorous and prolific, with good resistance to mildew. Allow plenty of room for the vines to ramble or provide a strong trellis for vertical growing. Regular moisture and fertile soil will encourage heavy cropping and good fruit development.
Approximately 25 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring after frost to early summer
Cold climates: Spring after the last frost, or start earlier under protection
Planting / Sowing
Sow directly into warm soil approximately 10–20 mm deep, or raise in pots and transplant once conditions have warmed. Space plants approximately 60–100 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Provide a sturdy trellis if growing vertically or allow sufficient room for the vigorous vines to spread. Keep plants consistently watered, particularly during flowering and fruit development.
Harvest young for crisp fresh cucumbers, or allow fruits intended for storage to mature fully until the skin develops its characteristic yellow to orange-brown colour. Handle mature fruits carefully to avoid damaging the skin before storage.
If saving seed, Giant Russian can cross-pollinate with other Cucumis sativus cucumber varieties flowering nearby, so adequate isolation is required to maintain the variety true to type.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucumis sativus
Green Gem, also known as Poinsett, is a dependable open-pollinated slicing Cucumber producing long, straight, deep green fruits reaching approximately 25 cm. An old standard garden variety, it is particularly valued for its productivity, adaptability to hot conditions and resistance to mildews.
The fruits are crisp, juicy and refreshing with a classic cucumber flavour. Harvested young and tender, they are excellent sliced into salads and sandwiches, served fresh with dips or used in cold soups and other summer dishes.
Green Gem is a vigorous, heavy-bearing variety that continues producing over a long period when fruits are picked regularly. Its ability to perform well in hot climates makes it particularly useful for warmer Australian growing regions, while its mildew resistance helps plants remain productive through challenging summer conditions.
Although vines can be allowed to ramble along the ground, Green Gem performs particularly well when trained onto a trellis. Vertical growing encourages straighter fruits, improves airflow around the foliage and makes harvesting easier.
Approximately 18 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring after frost to early summer
Cold climates: Spring after the last frost, or start earlier under protection
Planting / Sowing
Sow directly into warm soil approximately 10–20 mm deep, or raise in pots and transplant once conditions have warmed. Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Provide a sturdy trellis for best results. Keep plants consistently watered, particularly during flowering and fruit development, and mulch around the root zone to help retain moisture.
Harvest regularly while fruits are firm, green and tender, up to approximately 25 cm long. Frequent picking encourages continued flowering and heavy production.
If saving seed, Green Gem can cross-pollinate with other Cucumis sativus cucumber varieties flowering nearby, so adequate isolation is required to maintain the variety true to type.
Maturity: approximately 56–63 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucumis sativus
Improved Telegraph is a classic long slicing Cucumber producing elegant, slender fruits reaching approximately 35 cm. The smooth, dark green skin is marked with lighter green colouring along its length, surrounding crisp, tender flesh with a refreshing, mild cucumber flavour.
Developed from the old Telegraph-type cucumbers traditionally grown in Britain, this variety belongs to the group commonly known as English or greenhouse cucumbers. Telegraph cucumbers became popular during the Victorian era, when growers prized exceptionally long, straight and finely flavoured fruits for the table.
The long, thin fruits are excellent for fresh eating and particularly well suited to salads, sandwiches and delicate garnishes. Harvest regularly while the fruits are firm and tender for the best flavour and texture.
Plants are vigorous climbers and perform particularly well when trained vertically onto a trellis or other support. Trellising encourages the characteristic long, straight fruits while improving airflow and keeping them clean and easy to harvest.
Improved Telegraph prefers warm growing conditions, fertile, well-drained soil and consistent moisture. Protect plants from cold conditions and avoid allowing the soil to dry excessively during flowering and fruit development.
Approximately 15 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring after frost to early summer
Cold climates: Spring after the last frost, or start earlier under protection
Planting / Sowing
Sow directly into warm soil approximately 10–20 mm deep, or raise in pots and transplant once conditions have warmed. Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Provide a sturdy trellis or climbing support and gently train young vines as they develop. Keep plants consistently watered, particularly during flowering and fruit development.
Harvest regularly when fruits are long, slender and dark green, up to approximately 35 cm. Frequent picking encourages continued flowering and production.
If saving seed, Improved Telegraph can cross-pollinate with other Cucumis sativus cucumber varieties flowering nearby, so adequate isolation is required to maintain the variety true to type.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucumis sativus
Japanese Climbing is a traditional heirloom cucumber prized for its long, slender fruit, tender skin, and refreshing, mildly sweet flavour. Vigorous climbing vines are ideal for trellises, fences, or vertical gardens, where the fruit grows straighter and stays cleaner. The crisp, juicy cucumbers reach around 20–25 cm long with few seeds, making them excellent for fresh eating, salads, and light pickling. Highly productive when harvested regularly and well suited to warm Australian growing conditions.
Approximately 20 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: April to August
Subtropics: August to January
Mild climates: September to January
Cold climates: After the last frost to early summer
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed directly or raise in trays, planting 2 cm deep in fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Space plants 40–60 cm apart and provide a trellis or other support for climbing. Keep the soil consistently moist and harvest fruit regularly to encourage continuous production.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucumis sativus
Jefferson is a distinctive open-pollinated Cucumber producing plump fruits with yellow skin, reaching approximately 20 cm long and 9 cm across when fully grown. For the best eating quality, however, harvest the fruits young at around 10 cm while they are particularly crisp and tender.
The juicy flesh has a refreshing cucumber flavour and is excellent for fresh eating, slicing into salads and sandwiches or preserving through pickling. Its yellow colouring makes Jefferson an attractive alternative to conventional green cucumbers and helps make the fruits easy to spot amongst the foliage.
Jefferson is particularly useful in warmer growing regions, coping well with both heat and humidity and showing resistance to powdery mildew. It resembles Giant Russian but produces smaller fruits and is best harvested considerably earlier for fresh eating.
Plants are vigorous and productive, and regular harvesting is important once fruiting begins. Check vines daily during periods of rapid growth, as cucumbers can increase in size remarkably quickly.
Approximately 25 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring after frost to early summer
Cold climates: Spring after the last frost, or start earlier under protection
Planting / Sowing
Sow directly into warm soil approximately 10–20 mm deep, or raise in pots and transplant once conditions have warmed. Germination is best with soil temperatures around 18–25°C.
Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Vines can be allowed to ramble or trained onto a trellis to improve airflow and make harvesting easier.
Keep plants consistently watered, particularly during flowering and fruit development. Harvest from approximately 60 days, ideally when fruits are around 10 cm long for the best flavour and texture. Once production begins, harvest daily to encourage continued flowering and fruit set.
If saving seed, Jefferson can cross-pollinate with other Cucumis sativus cucumber varieties flowering nearby, so adequate isolation is required to maintain the variety true to type.
Maturity: approximately 60 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucumis sativus
Lebanese Mini Muncher is a compact, highly productive cucumber that produces crisp, smooth-skinned fruit around 10–12 cm long. The mild, sweet flavour is free from bitterness, making these cucumbers ideal for fresh eating straight from the vine, lunchboxes, salads, and platters, with no peeling required. Fast growing and relatively compact, this variety is well suited to pots, raised beds, and smaller garden spaces. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production throughout the season.
Approximately 20 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: April to August
Subtropics: August to January
Mild climates: September to January
Cold climates: After the last frost to early summer
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed directly or raise in trays, planting 2 cm deep in fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Space plants 40–60 cm apart. Plants can be grown on the ground or trained onto a trellis to improve airflow and fruit quality. Keep the soil consistently moist and harvest frequently for the best flavour and continued production.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucumis sativus
Lemon Cucumber is a charming heirloom dating to the late 19th century, producing rounded fruits that ripen from pale green to a distinctive light lemon-yellow. Despite the name, it does not taste like a lemon. The name comes from its colour and shape, with mature fruits resembling small lemons or yellow apples.
The fruits reach approximately 8 cm long and 5.5 cm across, with thin, tender skin and crisp, juicy flesh. Sweet, refreshing and free from bitterness, they can be eaten straight from the garden much like an apple. Lemon Cucumber is excellent sliced into salads and sandwiches, served fresh with dips or preserved as pickles.
First appearing in American seed catalogues around 1894, Lemon Cucumber has remained a popular heirloom for its unusual appearance, excellent eating quality and prolific production.
Plants are vigorous, heavy producers with good drought tolerance once established and resistance to rust. The vines can be allowed to ramble across the ground or trained vertically onto a trellis to improve airflow, save space and make harvesting easier.
Approximately 20 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring after frost to early summer
Cold climates: Spring after the last frost, or start earlier under protection
Planting / Sowing
Sow directly into warm soil approximately 10–20 mm deep, or raise in pots and transplant once conditions have warmed. Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Provide a trellis for vertical growth or allow vines sufficient room to ramble. Water regularly during flowering and fruit development for crisp, well-filled fruits, although established plants cope with periods of dry weather better than many cucumber varieties.
Harvest while fruits are crisp and pale yellow for the best eating quality. Pick regularly once production begins to encourage continued flowering and fruit set.
If saving seed, Lemon Cucumber can cross-pollinate with other Cucumis sativus cucumber varieties flowering nearby, so adequate isolation is required to maintain the variety true to type.
Maturity: approximately 58–70 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucumis sativus
Long White is a distinctive open-pollinated Cucumber producing attractive pale cream to white fruits with crisp, refreshing flesh. A fast-growing and productive variety, it offers something a little different from the usual dark green slicing cucumbers while remaining wonderfully versatile in the kitchen.
The crisp flesh has a mild, sweet flavour sometimes described as having an appealing “apple-like” quality. Fruits are excellent eaten fresh, sliced into salads and sandwiches or served with dips, and their firm texture also makes them well suited to pickling and preserving.
Long White is a vigorous warm-season grower with useful tolerance to powdery mildew, helping plants remain productive when conditions favour this common cucumber disease. Regular harvesting will encourage the vines to continue flowering and setting new fruit.
Plants can be allowed to ramble along the ground or trained vertically onto a trellis. Trellising saves space, improves airflow around the foliage and helps produce straighter, cleaner fruits.
Approximately 16 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring after frost to early summer
Cold climates: Spring after the last frost, or start earlier under protection
Planting / Sowing
Sow directly into warm soil approximately 10–20 mm deep, or raise in pots and transplant once conditions have warmed. Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Provide a trellis for vertical growth or allow vines sufficient room to ramble. Keep plants consistently watered, particularly during flowering and fruit development, and mulch around the root zone to help retain moisture.
Harvest regularly while fruits are pale, firm and crisp for the best flavour and texture. Frequent picking encourages continued flowering and production.
If saving seed, Long White can cross-pollinate with other Cucumis sativus cucumber varieties flowering nearby, so adequate isolation is required to maintain the variety true to type.
Maturity: approximately 63–70 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucumis sativus
Marketmore is a dependable heirloom cucumber producing dark green, tapered fruit around 22 cm long and 6 cm wide. Renowned for its sweet, mild flavour and crisp texture, it is ideal for slicing, salads, and fresh eating. Vigorous, productive plants mature in approximately 60–70 days and continue to produce heavily when fruit is harvested regularly.
Approximately 25 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: April to August
Subtropics: August to January
Mild climates: September to January
Cold climates: After the last frost to early summer
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed directly or raise in trays, planting 2 cm deep in fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Space plants 40–60 cm apart. Grow on the ground or train onto a trellis for straighter fruit and improved airflow. Keep the soil consistently moist and harvest regularly to encourage continuous production.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucumis sativus
Muncher Burpless is a tender, productive slicing Cucumber producing smooth green fruits approximately 17 cm long. Crisp, juicy and pleasantly mild, the fruits are free from bitterness and are particularly good for gardeners looking for a sweet, easy-eating cucumber.
The thin, tender skin means fruits can be eaten without peeling, while the crisp flesh is excellent sliced into salads and sandwiches, eaten straight from the garden or served with dips. Muncher is also suitable for pickling, particularly when the fruits are harvested young and small.
The term “burpless” is traditionally used for mild cucumber varieties with low bitterness and tender skin. Muncher combines these eating qualities with good garden performance and useful resistance to cucumber mosaic virus.
Plants are vigorous and productive through warm weather and can be allowed to ramble along the ground or trained vertically onto a trellis. Trellising improves airflow, saves space and helps produce clean, straight fruits that are easy to harvest.
Approximately 22 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Spring to autumn
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring after frost to early summer
Cold climates: Spring after the last frost, or start earlier under protection
Planting / Sowing
Sow directly into warm soil approximately 10–20 mm deep, or raise in pots and transplant once conditions have warmed. Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil.
Provide a trellis for vertical growth or allow vines sufficient room to ramble. Keep plants consistently watered, particularly during flowering and fruit development.
Harvest regularly while fruits are smooth, green and tender, up to approximately 17 cm long. Pick smaller if intended for pickling. Frequent harvesting encourages continued flowering and fruit production.
If saving seed, Muncher Burpless can cross-pollinate with other Cucumis sativus cucumber varieties flowering nearby, so adequate isolation is required to maintain the variety true to type.
Maturity: approximately 65 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.