#gardenhacks

They're both green. They're both in the garden. They both produce delicious summer veggies. But mix up your zucchini and cucumber plants, and you might be waiting for a fruit that never comes—or one that grows into a baseball bat overnight!

Before the fruits appear, here's how to tell them apart at a glance, just by looking at the flowers and plant structure.

1. The Flower Base (The Biggest Clue!) This is the most reliable difference.

Zucchini (and other squash): Look at the base of the female flower (the one with a tiny fruit behind the petals). It will have a distinct, five-ridged or star-shaped swelling right under the flower.

Cucumber: The swelling behind the female flower is smooth, round, and more oval-shaped—like a tiny cucumber already!

2. The Flower Itself

Zucchini: Flowers are generally larger, showier, and bright orange-yellow. Male flowers bloom on long, straight, thick stems.

Cucumber: Flowers are smaller, a paler yellow, and bloom in clusters on thinner, often slightly vining stems.

3. The Plant's Growth Habit

Zucchini: Grows as a bush. It's a big, mounding plant that stays relatively contained.

Cucumber: Is a vine. It will want to send out long, trailing stems and will eagerly climb a trellis if you let it.

They're both succulents. They both have thick, pointed leaves. They both look like they belong in a desert-themed living room. But confusing an Aloe for an Agave can have painful consequences!

Here's your quick guide to telling these prickly pals apart:

Your Plants Are Screaming For Help

If you notice yellow edges or curling leaves, your plant is desperately trying to tell you one of these six vital secrets.

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