Ecballium elaterium (Squirting cucumber)
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Beginner skill rating |
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1m max. spread |
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0.3m max. height |
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1-2 years to maturity |
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1 hour care per year |
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This plant is toxic! |
Botanical name: Ecballium elaterium
Other names: Squirting cucumber
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Genus: Ecballium
Species: E. elaterium - E. elaterium is tender, bushy or trailing perennial, often treated as a half-hardy annual, and grown for its unusual but poisonous fruits. The plant has large, rough leaves and in summer bears solitary yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. Ripe fruits are cucumber-like and explode at the slightest touch, expelling their seeds (hence they can be invasive).
Ecballium elaterium is: Deciduous
Flower: Yellow in Summer
Foliage: Green in Summer
Fruit: Green in Summer
Habit: Spreading
Toxicity: Fruits are poisonous if ingested and contact with skin may cause irritation.
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General care
Propagation methods: Seed. REGISTER to read more...
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Ecballium elaterium (Squirting cucumber) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 1m after 1-2 years.
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Suggested uses: Beds and borders
Cultivation: Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Will grow well in poor soil. In frost-prone areas, treat as a half-hardy annual.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) |  |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | |
| Light: | Full Sun | |
| Aspect: | South, West | |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | |
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We list 5 suppliers who tell us they sell Ecballium elaterium (Squirting cucumber). In order to see the list you'll need to either register or log in as a full member.
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