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Indian Cucumber

Medeola virginiana

Last reviewed: August 2026

Indian Cucumber (Medeola virginiana)
Photo: (c) Seig, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Seig

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

6"–18" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, CT, DE, FL and 24 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 432 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

PiedmontNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyEastern Temperate ForestsCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Indian cucumber is a delicate woodland wildflower with distinctive whorled leaves and small greenish-yellow flowers in late spring. This native perennial forms neat clumps in shaded areas and produces small dark berries that were historically used for food.

In an HOA neighborhood

Indian Cucumber takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Very wild, naturalistic appearance
  • Goes completely dormant in winter
  • May be mistaken for weeds by neighbors

Wildlife value

The flowers attract small native bees and flies, while the berries provide food for woodland birds and small mammals.

Common questions

How much sun does Indian Cucumber need?
Indian Cucumber grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Indian Cucumber bloom?
Indian Cucumber blooms in May and June.
Where is Indian Cucumber native?
Indian Cucumber (Medeola virginiana) is native to AL, CT, DE, FL and 24 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Indian Cucumber HOA-friendly?
Indian Cucumber takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Indian Cucumber? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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