Cucumber Tree Plant Care
Dendrosicyos socotrana Balf.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dendrosicyos is a monotypic genus in the plant family Cucurbitaceae. The only species is Dendrosicyos socotranus, the cucumber tree.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Cucumber Tree?
Cucumber Tree grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Cucumber Tree Native To?
What Is the Cucumber Tree?
Cucumber Tree (Dendrosicyos socotrana) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family within the Dendrosicyos genus. Cucumber Tree is native to the island of Socotra in Yemen. Cucumber Tree is also known as Socotran Cucumber Tree.
Cucumber Tree displays a vining, climbing growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Cucumber Tree produces small, inconspicuous flowers.
What Light Does the Cucumber Tree Need?
Cucumber Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cucumber Tree?
Sandy, well-draining soil mix with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Cucumber Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Cucumber Tree?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Cucumber Tree?
Cucumber Tree can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cucumber tree plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Cucumber Tree Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Cucumber Tree, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Cucumber Tree?
Cucumber Tree is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Cucumber Tree is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Dendrosicyos genus — compare its care with other Dendrosicyos species on PlantoScan.
Dendrosicyos is part of the Cucurbitaceae plant family — browse all Cucurbitaceae genera and species.
Cucumber Tree thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Dendrosicyos socotrana Balf.f., family Cucurbitaceae (first published in Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh 11: 513 (1882)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cucumber Tree, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Cucumber Tree Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species