Vert Petit De Paris

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Crisp as a cool morning breeze, Vert Petit De Paris produces petite, emerald-green gherkins with a finely bumpy skin and a tight, refreshing crunch.

Their compact size and even shape make them especially satisfying for pickling, while their bright, garden-fresh flavor shines in quick brines and vinegar-forward preparations. Grow them for a steady harvest beginning around 50 days, when the vines reward you with a continuous parade of tender, flavorful fruits.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Vert Petit De Paris

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 11th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	70
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	12

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This gherkin’s whole appeal is the snap—small, tightly textured fruits that don’t collapse in a sour brine. Pickle them vinegary and fast so the skin’s bumpy crunch stays audible, then let garlic and mustard do the heavy lifting.

Best Uses

quick refrigerator pickles in vinegar + sugar for 24–48 hours
small-bite gherkin relish, finely chopped and packed for sandwiches
raw snack slices with flaky salt and a squeeze of lemon
hot-and-fast brine quick-pickled rounds that keep their bite

Flavor Profile

lively, bright cucumber snap tight, bumpy-skinned crunch that stays springy vinegar-ready acidity fresh, grassy finish

Kitchen Pairings

white vinegar garlic mustard seed black pepper fresh dill crisp pork (prosciutto or bacon)

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem for Cucumis sativus (Parisian Gherkin) and how can I prevent it?

A frequent issue is downy mildew, which shows as yellow patches on the upper leaves and a gray-purple fuzzy growth on the underside. Remove and destroy affected leaves early, then water only at the base so foliage stays dry, and increase airflow by spacing plants well. If problems start early, use a labeled downy-mildew fungicide and repeat according to the label during humid stretches.

How often should I water Parisian gherkin cucumbers during their main growing phase?

During active vine growth (roughly weeks 2–6), keep soil consistently evenly moist—aim for about 1 inch (2–3 cm) of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot or windy. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to avoid soggy roots, but don’t let plants wilt, since drought stress can cause bitterness and misshapen fruit.

How do I tell when Vert Petit de Paris (Cucumis sativus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are small and firm—typically around 50 days from sowing—often about finger-length for Parisian pickling cucumbers. Pick every day or two once they start setting, because cucumbers left too long become seedy, softer, and less crisp. Fruit should snap slightly and feel dense; if they swell or look less bright, harvest sooner next time.