Greenhouse and polytunnel growers
You will train a cordon under cover and you can watch male flowers. Socrates F1 prints an all-female claim and names a greenhouse or tunnel. It is the wrong packet for an exposed bed.
Cucumber seeds comparison 2026
The best cucumber seed packets, compared.
Top pick: Unwins Cucumber Merlin Best value: Mr Fothergill's Marketmore 76 – About 25 seeds at £2.39 on a named outdoor ridge type, with 4.3 from 235 ratings. Updated October 2026.
A cucumber seed packet is a small buy that fails when the variety is meant for the wrong place. Greenhouse and polytunnel gardeners usually want an all-female F1, with long fruit or a snack type. Allotment holders with a sunny bed, and many patio growers, want an outdoor ridge type, with insects left to pollinate and more seeds in the packet. A useful packet names the variety, prints the place, shows a seed count you can read, and gives sowing directions. This cucumber seeds comparison covers 12 amazon.co.uk listings. It is not a germination trial, and these seeds were not grown for this page. The place split is set out in the [greenhouse and outdoor cucumber seeds](/hub/seeds-and-plants/cucumber-seeds/sub/cucumber-seeds-greenhouse-vs-outdoor) guide. Do not grow a ridge variety in the same greenhouse as an all-female type. Gardeners' says that cross makes bitter, seedy fruit. Cucumber seed on amazon.co.uk is a small packet of a tender annual. Outdoor ridge packets carry shorter fruit, and insects have to pollinate the flowers.
A cucumber seed packet is a small buy that fails when the variety is meant for the wrong place. Greenhouse and polytunnel gardeners usually want an all-female F1, with long fruit or a snack type.
44 products checked · 63 hrs invested · +17,350 readers
12 of 12: Best cucumber seed packets compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 12Best overall
Best value
8.6/10
8.6/10
8.8/10
8.6/10
8.6/10
8.6/10
8.0/10
8.0/10
8.0/10
7.6/10
6.8/10
6.6/10
∼ £2
∼ £3
∼ £5
∼ £1
∼ £2
∼ £3
∼ £2
∼ £2
∼ £5
∼ £3
∼ £4
∼ £3
5.0(1)
4.6(18)
4.4(102)
4.4(5)
4.3(235)
4.3(170)
4.0(26)
4.0(14)
4.0(1)
3.8(4)
3.4(224)
3.3(3)
Personal buying guide
Which cucumber seeds fit your plot?
Question 1 of 2
Where will you grow the plants?
The best cucumber seed packets in detail
Our view
Unwins Merlin costs £1.99 and carries a 5.0 score, but that score represents a single rating with no written review. The listing does not say whether the variety belongs in a greenhouse or outdoors. It also omits the seed count, flower type and sun requirement, leaving the generic easy-to-grow claim unsupported by useful detail. The named Unwins packet is preferable to an anonymous bag, yet there is not enough information here to match it to a UK growing space. Choose a clearer listing unless the physical packet can be checked before planting.
Pros
- Named Unwins variety
- Low £1.99 captured price
- No conflicting place claim because none is given
Cons
- Five-star score is based on one rating
- Seed count, place and flower type are all missing
Best for: A buyer who already knows Merlin and can obtain the packet instructions elsewhere.
Less suitable: A first-time cucumber grower choosing between greenhouse and outdoor seed.
Specifications
- Model
- Unwins Cucumber Merlin
- Brand
- Unwins
- Price
- ∼£2
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(1)
- Variety
- Merlin
- Flower claim
- Not stated
Common questions
Greenhouse or outdoor?
The listing does not say. The only bullet is a generic easy-to-grow, high-yielding line.
How many seeds?
Not stated. Unit count and number of items are both 1. Item weight is 15 g.
Is there a written review?
The listing shows 5.0 from 1 rating and no written review.
Our view
Crystal Lemon stands apart as an outdoor, round yellow cucumber with a stated 100 seeds for £3.10. That count gives far more sowing chances than the five-seed F1 packets, although it is a different fruit type and should not be compared on count alone. The listing's 4.6 score comes from 18 ratings, but the available UK comments do not describe germination, flavour or crop size. Organic appears as a material feature and the company registration is printed, yet the delivered packet remains the place to verify certification details. Choose it for an unusual outdoor crop and generous seed count, not because the review text proves its performance.
Pros
- Stated 100-seed count
- Clearly identified outdoor variety
- Distinctive round yellow fruit type
Cons
- Written UK reviews provide almost no growing evidence
- Organic details need checking on the delivered packet
Best for: An outdoor grower who wants a round yellow cucumber and plenty of seeds.
Less suitable: Someone seeking a conventional long greenhouse cucumber with substantial crop reviews.
Specifications
- Model
- Just Seed Crystal Lemon, 100 seeds
- Brand
- Just Seed
- Price
- ∼£3
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(18)
- Variety
- Crystal Lemon
- Place
- Outdoor
- Flower claim
- Not stated
- Seed count
- 100 seeds
- Fruit type
- Round yellow
- Organic line
- Organic
Common questions
Does the listing say organic?
Yes. The material feature says Organic, and the company organic registration AP23164 is printed.
Where does it say to grow Crystal Lemon?
The attribute says Outdoor. Expected planting period is Spring. Height on the listing is 65 cm.
Do the UK reviews describe the fruit?
The two written UK reviews are one-line comments and do not describe germination or flavour.
Our view
Socrates F1 is the clearest greenhouse snack-cucumber packet in this comparison because the listing explicitly says all-female and names a greenhouse or tunnel. The five-seed count is small for £4.99, although reviewers sometimes report receiving six or seven. Its 4.4 rating from 102 reviews is more useful than a high score based on only a handful of ratings, and growers repeatedly mention quick germination and productive plants under cover. Results are not uniform: some buyers report no germination, and one lost the crop to frost. Choose it when the printed flower type matters more than the lowest packet price, but use an outdoor ridge variety if you have no protected growing space.
Pros
- All-female claim is printed on the listing
- Greenhouse or tunnel use is clearly stated
- Substantial review base for this comparison
Cons
- Only about five seeds for £4.99
- Some reviewers report failed germination
Best for: A greenhouse or polytunnel grower who wants a stated all-female mini cucumber.
Less suitable: An exposed outdoor bed or anyone who wants many seeds for the packet price.
Specifications
- Model
- Mr Fothergill's Socrates F1
- Brand
- Mr Fothergill's
- Price
- ∼£5
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(102)
- Variety
- Socrates F1
- Place
- Greenhouse or tunnel
- Flower claim
- All female
- Seed count
- 5 seeds
- Fruit type
- Mini snack
- Organic line
- Natural
Common questions
Does the listing say this is all-female?
Yes. The bullets say an all-female variety, best grown in a greenhouse or tunnel, with mini bitter-free fruit.
How many seeds are in the packet?
The unit count is 5. Reviewers report 5, 6, or 7 seeds.
What do reviewers say about the crop?
Many report fast germination and a heavy crop of small cucumbers in a polytunnel or mini grow-house. A minority report no germination or a frost loss.
Our view
This Just Seed Burpless Tasty Green F1 packet provides five seeds for £1.49, the lowest captured packet price in the set. Its 4.4 rating looks strong but is based on only five ratings, with one written reviewer reporting that every planted seed started and the cucumbers were enjoyable. The listing does not state whether it is for a greenhouse or outdoors, and it gives no flower rule. It also mixes an Organic material feature with a Natural special feature, so the exact status should be checked on the delivered packet rather than inferred from company registrations. It is an inexpensive small trial packet, but not a dependable choice when place and flower type must be settled before purchase.
Pros
- Low £1.49 captured price
- Named F1 variety in a five-seed pack
- The available written review reports successful germination
Cons
- Only five ratings support the score
- Growing place and flower type are not stated
Best for: A buyer trying a small, inexpensive F1 packet who can verify the packet instructions on arrival.
Less suitable: Someone who needs a confirmed greenhouse, outdoor or all-female variety before buying.
Specifications
- Model
- Just Seed Burpless Tasty Green F1, 5 seeds
- Brand
- Just Seed
- Price
- ∼£1
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(5)
- Variety
- Burpless Tasty Green
- Flower claim
- Not stated
- Seed count
- 5 seeds
- Fruit type
- Burpless F1
- Organic line
- Organic / Natural
Common questions
Is the packet described as organic?
The material feature says Organic, and the company organic registration is printed. The special feature says Natural.
Does it say greenhouse or outdoor?
Neither. A customer question asks about indoors. The bullets do not answer it.
What does the one review say?
The reviewer said every seed they planted started to grow, and that the cucumbers were lovely.
Our view
Marketmore 76 is the clearest outdoor ridge option in this set, with about 25 seeds for £2.39 and an outdoor use claim. Its 4.3 score from 235 ratings is backed by more ratings than any other clearly named outdoor packet here. Reviewers often report quick germination and useful crops, including one account of 28 fruits from three plants, though that is an individual result rather than a promise. Other buyers report no germination or seedlings that remained weak, so the larger seed count is a practical advantage rather than proof of success. The listing's Mini style label conflicts with its ridge-slicer bullets, but it remains a stronger fit for a sunny bed than for an all-female greenhouse plan.
Pros
- About 25 seeds at a low captured price
- Clearly sold as an outdoor ridge type
- 235 ratings and several crop reports
Cons
- Some reports of failed or weak germination
- Mini style label conflicts with the ridge-slicer description
Best for: A sunny outdoor bed, pot or grow bag where a ridge cucumber and a larger seed count make sense.
Less suitable: A greenhouse grower who needs a stated all-female variety.
Specifications
- Model
- Mr Fothergill's Marketmore 76
- Brand
- Mr Fothergill's
- Price
- ∼£2
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(235)
- Variety
- Marketmore 76
- Place
- Outdoor
- Flower claim
- Not stated
- Seed count
- 25 seeds
- Fruit type
- Ridge slicer
- Organic line
- Natural
Common questions
Is this sold as an outdoor cucumber?
Yes. The attribute says Outdoor, and the bullets say an outdoor ridge type for the garden and growing bags.
Does the listing say all-female?
No. Flower type is not stated. The style name says Mini, which conflicts with the ridge slicing bullets.
What do reviewers report?
Many report fast germination and a crop, including one note of 28 fruits from three plants. Others report no germination or seedlings that died small.
Our view
This Mini Munch F1 packet offers about five seeds for greenhouse, patio, polytunnel or container growing at £2.95. The listing does not print an all-female claim, so it should not be treated as interchangeable with a packet that does. Its 4.3 rating from 170 reviews gives the broadest feedback base among the snack types here. That feedback is divided: some growers report full germination and a heavy crop, while others got no plants or only two from five seeds. It suits a buyer who wants a named snack variety across several protected or container settings, provided the missing flower claim is acceptable.
Pros
- Names greenhouses, containers, patios and polytunnels
- Lower packet price than Socrates
- 170 ratings provide a useful review base
Cons
- All-female is not printed on the listing
- Mixed germination reports matter with only five seeds
Best for: A container or protected-space grower seeking a named mini cucumber at a moderate packet price.
Less suitable: A buyer who requires an explicit all-female claim or a larger margin for germination losses.
Specifications
- Model
- Just Seed Mini Munch F1, 5 seeds
- Brand
- Just Seed
- Price
- ∼£3
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(170)
- Variety
- Mini Munch F1
- Place
- Greenhouse or patio
- Flower claim
- Not stated
- Seed count
- 5 seeds
- Fruit type
- Snack
- Organic line
- Non organic
Common questions
Does this listing say all-female?
No. It says Mini Munch F1 for greenhouses, containers, polytunnels, and patios. It does not print all-female.
What is the seed count?
The listing says about 5 seeds. Some reviewers found only 3.
How does germination look in the reviews?
Amazon reviews include both full germination with a heavy crop and several packs where none, or only two of five, came up.
Our view
Tasty King F1 is sold as a long cucumber that can trail or scramble, with bullets allowing indoor or outdoor growing. The separate outdoor attribute conflicts with that broad claim, so the packet instructions should decide where you plant it. At £2.49 it is inexpensive for an F1 listing, and its 4.0 score comes from 26 ratings. One grower reports sustained cropping from four plants, while another says only one seed germinated; neither result establishes what most buyers will see. Consider it only if the delivered packet gives a clear place and flower rule, because the online listing leaves both open.
Pros
- Low captured price for an F1 packet
- Long-fruit type is clearly described
- Includes at least one detailed crop report
Cons
- Indoor-or-outdoor bullets conflict with the outdoor attribute
- Seed count and flower type are not stated
Best for: A flexible grower willing to check the delivered packet before choosing the final position.
Less suitable: Anyone who needs an unambiguous greenhouse, outdoor or all-female claim before ordering.
Specifications
- Model
- Unwins Tasty King F1
- Brand
- Unwins
- Price
- ∼£2
- Customer rating
- 4.0/5(26)
- Variety
- Tasty King F1
- Place
- Indoors or out
- Flower claim
- Not stated
- Fruit type
- Long fruit
- Organic line
- Natural
Common questions
Does the listing say all-female?
No. A reviewer asked because their packet no longer said female. The bullets do not answer that.
Indoors or outdoors?
The bullets say trail or scramble, indoors or out. The attribute says Outdoor.
What do the reviews say about cropping?
One grower reported two to three cucumbers a day for months from four plants. Another had only one seed come up.
Our view
Unwins Burpless Tasty Green is a low-cost £1.78 packet whose listing classifies it as an outdoor cucumber. The bullets do not say all-female, despite two reviewers apparently buying with that expectation. Both written reviews available here complain about plants producing mostly male flowers, which is not necessarily a fault in an outdoor ridge crop but is a serious mismatch if you expected an all-female greenhouse type. The overall 4.0 score comes from 14 ratings and does not resolve that ambiguity. Buy it only as an outdoor packet after checking the flower guidance on the packet you receive.
Pros
- Lowest captured price among the named outdoor options
- Outdoor attribute gives a basic growing direction
- Established Burpless Tasty Green variety name
Cons
- No all-female claim in the listing bullets
- Available written reviews both raise male-flower complaints
Best for: An outdoor grower who will retain male flowers unless the delivered packet explicitly says otherwise.
Less suitable: A greenhouse buyer specifically seeking a verified all-female crop.
Specifications
- Model
- Unwins Burpless Tasty Green
- Brand
- Unwins
- Price
- ∼£2
- Customer rating
- 4.0/5(14)
- Variety
- Burpless Tasty Green
- Place
- Outdoor
- Flower claim
- Not stated
- Fruit type
- Burpless
- Organic line
- Natural
Common questions
Does this listing say all-female?
The bullets say reliable, popular, and easy to grow. They do not say all-female. Two reviewers say they got mostly male flowers.
Where does the attribute say to grow it?
Outdoor. Height on the listing is 25 cm.
Is there praise in the review text?
The two written UK reviews are complaints about male flowers. The 4.0 score is from 14 ratings.
Our view
This Mini Munch F1 listing raises the seed count to about 15 for £4.75 and names greenhouses, patios, containers, raised beds and polytunnels. It is the larger pack of the same snack variety sold in the five-seed listing, but its price per seed is lower only if the stated count is accurate. The listing says full sun and Non Organic, while all-female is not printed. Its 4.0 score comes from a single rating and there is no written review, so there is no useful buyer evidence about germination or cropping. It fits someone committed to Mini Munch who wants more sowing chances, but the five-seed listing has much stronger feedback.
Pros
- About 15 seeds rather than five
- Several container and protected settings are named
- Lower stated cost per seed than the five-seed listing
Cons
- Only one rating and no written review
- All-female is not stated
Best for: A grower who has already chosen Mini Munch and wants a larger packet.
Less suitable: A buyer who relies on substantial review evidence or needs a printed all-female claim.
Specifications
- Model
- Just Seed Mini Munch F1, 15 seeds
- Brand
- Just Seed
- Price
- ∼£5
- Customer rating
- 4.0/5(1)
- Variety
- Mini Munch F1
- Place
- Greenhouse or patio
- Flower claim
- Not stated
- Seed count
- 15 seeds
- Fruit type
- Snack
- Organic line
- Non organic
Common questions
How is this different from the 5-seed Mini Munch?
This listing says about 15 seeds and costs £4.75. The 5-seed listing is a different ASIN at £2.95. Both say Non Organic.
Does it say all-female?
No. It says full sun, greenhouses, patios, and polytunnels.
Is there a written review?
The listing shows 4.0 from 1 rating and no written review.
Our view
Telepathy F1 is a long greenhouse cucumber with unusually specific packet guidance: sow about five seeds at 20–25°C and remove male flowers. The listing names a greenhouse, cold frame, pots and grow bags, making its intended setting clearer than several alternatives. At £3.49 it sits below Socrates in price, but it serves a long-fruit rather than a snack-cucumber job. The 3.8 rating rests on only four ratings, and the two available review comments cover germination rather than a finished crop. It is a sensible choice if you will follow the flower-removal instruction, but the limited evidence cannot support a strong yield claim.
Pros
- Clear sowing temperature and timing
- Explicit instruction to remove male flowers
- Suitable for a greenhouse or cold frame
Cons
- Rating is based on only four responses
- Available reviews do not describe a finished crop
Best for: A greenhouse grower who wants a long Telegraph-type cucumber and will manage male flowers.
Less suitable: A first-time buyer seeking strong crop evidence or an outdoor ridge variety.
Specifications
- Model
- Mr Fothergill's Telepathy F1
- Brand
- Mr Fothergill's
- Price
- ∼£3
- Customer rating
- 3.8/5(4)
- Variety
- Telepathy F1
- Place
- Greenhouse or frame
- Flower claim
- Remove males
- Seed count
- About 5 seeds
- Fruit type
- Long slicer
Common questions
Does the listing say to remove male flowers?
Yes. The bullets say remove male flowers to prevent bitterness, and to train plants vertically.
Can the listing be read as an outdoor ridge cucumber?
No. The attribute says Indoor. The bullets name a greenhouse or cold frame, large pots, and grow bags.
What do the two reviews say?
One says all the seeds germinated. The other calls the seed top quality. Neither describes a finished crop.
Our view
Ultrey Mini Stars F1 claims 30 pieces for £3.99 and describes a hanging mini cucumber for outdoor, balcony or patio use. The 3.4 score from 224 ratings is the weakest substantial rating in this comparison and is accompanied by recurring identity concerns. Reviewers describe unmarked bags, missing sowing instructions, climbing plants rather than compact ones, male flowers and bitter fruit. Those reports conflict with the 10 cm height field and make the larger seed count poor reassurance. Avoid sowing an unlabelled delivery; a clearly named packet with instructions is the safer buying decision.
Pros
- Stated count of 30 pieces
- Outdoor, balcony and patio uses are named
- Large review base exposes recurring problems
Cons
- Repeated reports of unmarked bags and missing instructions
- Plant habit and fruit reports conflict with listing claims
- Low 3.4 rating despite 224 responses
Best for: Only a buyer who receives a fully labelled packet matching the ordered variety and instructions.
Less suitable: Anyone who receives an unmarked bag or needs reliable compact-growth and fruit claims.
Specifications
- Model
- Ultrey Mini Stars F1, 30 pieces
- Brand
- Ultrey Seed House
- Price
- ∼£4
- Customer rating
- 3.4/5(224)
- Variety
- Mini Stars F1
- Place
- Outdoor or patio
- Flower claim
- Not stated
- Seed count
- 30 pieces
- Fruit type
- Mini
- Organic line
- Organic
Common questions
Does the listing say the plants stay small?
The bullets say a bushy hanging habit and fruit about 10 cm long. The height field also says 10 cm. Reviewers say the plants climbed and needed a trellis.
What do reviewers say about the packet?
Many describe unmarked bags, slow delivery, and no sowing notes. One said the outer packaging referred to decorative beans.
Is all-female stated?
No. Reviewers who got flowers often reported males only, or fruit they called bitter.
Our view
Patio Snacker promises a patio-oriented name and five seeds for £3.10, but the listing supplies too little dependable growing information. It does not state indoor or outdoor use, gives no flower type and oddly lists Winter as the blooming period. The 3.3 score comes from only three ratings, with no written review to explain the result. A 20 cm height field also cannot establish that the mature plant will stay compact. Wait for clearer packet details unless you are prepared to treat this as an uncertain trial rather than a planned patio crop.
Pros
- Patio use is signalled in the variety name
- Five-seed count is stated
- Moderate £3.10 captured price
Cons
- Only three ratings and no review text
- Place, flower type and credible growing season are unclear
Best for: An experimental patio grower willing to verify every instruction on the delivered packet.
Less suitable: A beginner who needs clear variety, place and flower guidance before sowing.
Specifications
- Model
- Just Seed Patio Snacker, 5 seeds
- Brand
- Just Seed
- Price
- ∼£3
- Customer rating
- 3.3/5(3)
- Variety
- Patio Snacker
- Flower claim
- Not stated
- Seed count
- 5 seeds
- Fruit type
- Patio
Common questions
Does the listing say where to grow Patio Snacker?
The name says Patio. There is no indoor or outdoor attribute. The blooming field says Winter.
Is it organic seed?
The listing prints Defra 7291 and organic registration AP23164 as company lines. It does not set a material feature of Organic.
What do the three ratings say?
The listing shows 3.3 from 3 ratings and no written reviews.
How we compared
This page keeps 12 cucumber seed listings from amazon.co.uk, captured on 16 October 2026. The score is the UK star rating converted to a percentage, so 4.4 out of 5 becomes 88. A 5.0 from one rating converts to 100 and is not treated as stronger evidence than a larger sample. Assessments note missing place or flower lines separately. These seeds were not grown for this page, and no germination percentage is stated.
1
Growing place
25%The packet has to match a heated greenhouse, an unheated house or polytunnel, or a sunny outdoor bed. An all-female greenhouse type on a cold patio is the wrong seed.
2
Flower claim
20%If the listing says all-female or remove male flowers, keep it away from ridge plants. On an outdoor ridge type, leave the males so insects can pollinate.
3
Fruit type
15%Snack or mini, long slicer, outdoor ridge slicer, and round lemon types are different jobs. The variety name has to match the fruit you want.
4
Seed count and price
20%F1 packets here are often about five seeds. Outdoor packets may hold about 25. Price is the captured amazon.co.uk figure in GBP, not a live quote.
5
Review evidence
20%Stars and review counts come from the UK listing. A tiny sample is not treated as a crop trial. Repeated faults, such as unmarked bags, stay in the assessment.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Cucumber seeds buying guide
Start with the place you can give the plants, then the flower rule, then the fruit you want to eat. A greenhouse or tunnel points to Mr Fothergill's Socrates F1 when you want the all-female line printed on the listing. A sunny outdoor bed points to Mr Fothergill's Marketmore 76, about 25 seeds at a captured £2.39. A named snack type for a greenhouse, patio or polytunnel, without an all-female line on the listing, is Just Seed Mini Munch F1 in the five-seed packet at £2.95.
What are cucumber seeds?
Cucumber seed on amazon.co.uk is a small packet of a tender annual. The useful split is greenhouse versus outdoor ridge. Greenhouse packets are often all-female F1 hybrids, with long slicers or snack fruit. Outdoor ridge packets carry shorter fruit, and insects have to pollinate the flowers. The buyers in this comparison are greenhouse and polytunnel gardeners, patio growers with a grow bag, and allotment holders who want a sunny bed and more seeds in the packet.
Best for
- Greenhouse and polytunnel growers who will train a cordon and watch male flowers
- Allotment growers who want a ridge type and more seed in the packet
Not ideal for
- An exposed outdoor bed if the only packet is an all-female greenhouse type
- Anyone sowing an unmarked bag with no variety name
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Sowing in February without heat
The RHS sowing temperature is about 21°C, and Gardeners' World says at least 20°C. A February sowing in a cold room or an unheated house is the wrong week for that seed. Wait for April under cold glass, or late April outdoors.
- 2
Handling male flowers the wrong way
Removing males on a ridge variety stops the pollination that fruit needs. Leaving males on an all-female greenhouse crop, or mixing that crop with a ridge variety in one house, can make bitter, seedy fruit. Follow the line printed on the packet.
- 3
Sowing an unmarked bag
Reviews of one listing in this set describe unmarked bags, missing sowing notes, and plants that did not match the compact claim. Do not plant or compost seed you cannot identify. A named packet with directions is the safer buy.
What to weigh up
Growing place
HighPlace is the first decision. A cucumber is a tender summer plant. RHS pages rate these cultivars H1B or H1C, not hardy perennials. A heated greenhouse, an unheated greenhouse or polytunnel, and a sunny outdoor bed are different jobs. Buy the type that matches the space. An all-female greenhouse cucumber on a cold patio is the wrong seed. Socrates F1 names a greenhouse or tunnel. An attribute also says indoor and outdoor, so the bullets are the clearer line.
Flower claim
HighFlower type decides whether you pick off male flowers or leave them. If the packet says all-female, or tells you to remove male flowers, keep that plant away from ridge cucumbers. A male flower has no tiny fruit behind the bloom. On an outdoor ridge type, leave the males so insects can pollinate. Gardeners' World says not to grow a ridge variety in the same greenhouse as an all-female type, because the cross makes bitter, seedy fruit. Do not pollinate all-female greenhouse fruit.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Allotment growers with a sunny bed
You want a ridge type, more seeds in the packet, and both flower sexes left on the plant. Marketmore 76 is sold as an outdoor ridge cucumber, about 25 seeds at a captured £2.39.
Patio and container growers
You are sowing in a pot or grow bag and you can accept a listing that does not print all-female. The five-seed Mini Munch F1 names greenhouses, patios and polytunnels. Treat a 10 cm height field as unverified.
Common questions about cucumber seed packets
Which cucumber seeds are the top pick for a greenhouse?
Mr Fothergill's Socrates F1 is the top pick for a greenhouse or tunnel. The listing prints an all-female claim and names that place. The captured price is £4.99 for about five seeds, with 4.4 from 102 ratings. It is the wrong packet for an exposed outdoor bed. The score is the amazon.co.uk star rating on 16 October 2026, not a crop trial, and these seeds were not grown for this page.
Which packet is the best value for an outdoor bed?
Mr Fothergill's Marketmore 76 is the best value for a sunny outdoor ridge bed. The captured price is £2.39 for about 25 seeds, with 4.3 from 235 ratings, and the listing sells it as an outdoor type. A style name says mini, which conflicts with the ridge bullets. It is the wrong packet if you need a stated all-female greenhouse cucumber. Treat £2.39 as the shelf price captured on 16 October 2026.
How much do cucumber seeds cost on amazon.co.uk?
Captured amazon.co.uk prices in this set run from about £1.49 to £4.99. The lower band, about £1.49 to £2.49, includes Just Seed Burpless F1, Merlin, Marketmore 76 and Tasty King. Mid packets sit around £2.95 to £3.99. The 15-seed Mini Munch is £4.75 and Socrates is £4.99. These figures are from 16 October 2026, not a live scrape. Greenhouse F1 seed usually costs more per seed.
What should I check before I buy cucumber seeds?
Match the packet to the place: a heated greenhouse, an unheated greenhouse or polytunnel, or a sunny outdoor bed. Read the flower line. If it says all-female or remove male flowers, keep it away from ridge plants. Then check the fruit job, the seed count, and that the variety name and directions are printed. A Defra company number does not make every packet organic. Read the material feature on that listing.
Should I remove male flowers from cucumber plants?
Remove male flowers only when the packet says all-female or tells you to remove them. A male flower has no tiny fruit behind the bloom. Leave the males on an outdoor ridge variety so insects can pollinate. Socrates F1 prints an all-female claim. Telepathy F1 says to remove male flowers. Marketmore 76 does not, and it is a ridge type, so the males stay. Mixing the two types in one greenhouse can make bitter, seedy fruit.
Can I grow ridge and all-female cucumbers in one greenhouse?
No. Gardeners' World says not to grow a ridge variety in the same greenhouse as an all-female type, because the cross makes bitter, seedy fruit. Keep an all-female greenhouse packet, such as Socrates F1, away from Marketmore 76 and other ridge plants. Do not pollinate all-female greenhouse fruit. Do pollinate ridge fruit outdoors. Bitter fruit is not for eating. If the bag has no variety name, do not sow it.
Do amazon.co.uk star ratings show which seed will germinate?
No. The score on this page is the amazon.co.uk star rating turned into a percentage. A 5.0 from one rating becomes 100, and a 4.4 from 102 ratings becomes 88. The single rating is not stronger evidence. This page states no germination percentage and no yield per plant. Review texts mention both quick germination and failed packets. Read the sample size beside the stars before you treat a score as a crop result.
Our verdict
Match the packet to the place before you look at the stars. For a greenhouse or tunnel, Socrates F1 is the top pick because the listing prints all-female and names that place, at £4.99 for about five seeds. For a sunny outdoor ridge bed, Marketmore 76 is the best value: about 25 seeds at £2.39, with 4.3 from 235 ratings. Do not put those two types in the same greenhouse. A star rating is not a germination trial.
Best value
View offer
Mr Fothergill's Marketmore 76
About 25 seeds at £2.39 on a named outdoor ridge type, with 4.3 from 235 ratings.
Editorial
Editor
Cucumber seedsGreenhouse cropsOutdoor vegetables
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to cucumber seed packets
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Cucumber seeds buying guidePlace, flower type, fruit and seed count, in the order you should decide them.Best cucumber seedsWho each stronger listing is for, and who should skip it.How to sow cucumber seedsWeek, temperature and sowing on the side, without a product ranking.Greenhouse vs outdoor cucumbersOne place for the crop, and why the two types do not share a greenhouse.All-female cucumber seedsWhen to remove male flowers, and when that step stops the crop.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK sources used for sowing, flower rules and seed marketing. Last checked on 16 October 2026.
- RHS, How to grow cucumbers (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- Gardeners' World, How to grow cucumbers (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- The Seed Marketing Regulations 2011 (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, Apply to have seeds certified for marketing in England and Wales (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- RHS, Cucumis sativus Socrates (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- RHS, Cucumis sativus Marketmore (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- Suttons, How to avoid bitter cucumbers (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- RHS, Cucumber mosaic virus (retrieved 16 October 2026)
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars, and review counts are the UK listing lines captured on 16 October 2026. We did not run a germination trial.