Poona Kheera Cucumber – Heirloom Seeds

Poona Kheera Cucumber – The Indian Heirloom That Changes Color as It Ripens

Poona Kheera (Cucumis sativus) is a fascinating heirloom cucumber from India that undergoes a stunning color metamorphosis as it matures — starting cream, turning golden yellow, then deepening to russet brown. At every stage, the 4–5" fruits remain extremely crisp, sweet, juicy, refreshing, and completely free from bitterness. Vigorous, disease-resistant vines are heavy yielding and easy to grow. A truly unique variety that brings something different to the garden and the kitchen. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, heirloom.

Why Grow Poona Kheera?

• Stunning color progression — cream → golden yellow → russet brown as fruits mature
• Crisp, sweet, and never bitter — at every stage of ripeness
• Vigorous and disease resistant — heavy-yielding vines
• Versatile in the kitchen — fresh eating, stir-fries, long-marinating dishes, pickles, and chutneys
• Holds texture in cooked dishes — stays crisp and absorbs sauce flavors beautifully in Thai and Indian cooking
• Easy seed saving — just let one fruit go fully ripe and russet

Growth Habits

• Days to Maturity: 60 days from seeding (subtract 20 days from transplant)
• Fruit Size: 4–5", oval
• Color Progression: Cream → golden yellow → russet brown
• Flavor: Crisp, sweet, juicy, refreshing — no bitterness at any stage
• Seeds per gram: ~30–50 (variations noted)
• Growth Habit: Vigorous vining — trellis recommended
• Disease Resistance: Generally disease resistant

Starting & Growing Tips

• Start indoors for early production, or direct seed when soil has warmed
• Minimum germination soil temperature: 65°F; optimal range: 65–95°F
• Very tender — will not survive frost
• Direct seed: 3" apart, thin to 12" apart in rows 4–6’ apart; or 6 per mound in hills 4’ apart, thin to 3 best plants
• Transplants: Once seedlings have 1–2 true leaves (~3 weeks old), plant 12" apart in rows 4–6’ apart
• Requires good fertility and regular irrigation — inadequate water causes misshapen, bitter fruits
• Harvest frequently — plants shut down production if fruits are left too long; remove any overripe “blimp” fruits to the compost pile
• Use compost + floating row covers together for best yields (University of Michigan research)

Pest Management

Striped cucumber beetles are the primary pest and vector for Bacterial Wilt. Combat by handpicking early morning when dew makes them sluggish, or use floating row covers until flowers appear. Remove row covers when cucumbers begin to flower for pollination. Perimeter trap cropping with Black Zucchini or Blue Hubbard works well. Yellow sticky strips and Surround or PyGanic (Pyrethrum) are effective materials.

Seed Saving

Saving Poona Kheera seed is easy! Let one fruit go fully overripe to russet brown. Scoop out the seeds and ferment in an uncovered container for a few days until a moldy cap forms — then rinse and dry. Grow only one open-pollinated cucumber variety per season to ensure true-to-type seed.

Culinary Uses

Poona Kheera is exceptional fresh — crisp, sweet, and juicy at any color stage. Use in stir-fries, long-marinating dishes, Thai and Indian curries, pickles, and chutneys. The fruit holds its crisp texture and absorbs sauce flavors beautifully in cooked dishes.

• Fresh eating at any ripeness stage
• Indian & Thai stir-fries and curries
• Pickles & chutneys
• Long-marinating dishes
• Salads & garden snacking

Planting Information

• Seeding Depth: 1"
• Plant Spacing: 12" (rows 4–6’ apart)
• Hill Spacing: 6 seeds per hill, 4’ apart; thin to 3 plants
• Square Foot Spacing: 1 plant per sq ft (trellis required)
• Soil Preference: Fertile, well-draining; consistent moisture essential
• Temperature Preference: 65–95°F; frost tender
• Light Preference: Full sun
• Pests/Diseases: Watch for striped cucumber beetles (BW vector), ALS, ANTH, CMV, DM, PM, WMV, ZYMV. Rotate crops and till under debris after harvest.

Seed Details

• Latin Name: Cucumis sativus
• Origin: India
• Seeds per gram: ~30–50
• Seed Origin: USA
• Non-GMO | Open-Pollinated | Heirloom