Can Cucumber and Basil share one grow tent?
One tent means one light, one timer and one climate. This is what Cucumber and Basil each need, and which differences moving the pots can fix.
The short answer
- Light: at their most demanding stage, no single light level suits both. Cucumber wants 500–800 µmol/m²/s, Basil 245–380. (Placement can fix this)
- Day length: both are usually grown at 16 h, so one timer suits both.
- Temperature: both are comfortable at 24–28 °C.
- Humidity: both are comfortable at 60–65 % RH.
Light, stage by stage
| Cucumber | PPFD | Basil | PPFD | Suits both |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seedling | 100–200 µmol/m²/s | Seedling | 100–200 µmol/m²/s | 100–200 µmol/m²/s |
| Seedling | 100–200 µmol/m²/s | Growth | 210–310 µmol/m²/s | none |
| Seedling | 100–200 µmol/m²/s | Mature | 245–380 µmol/m²/s | none |
| Vegetative | 300–500 µmol/m²/s | Seedling | 100–200 µmol/m²/s | none |
| Vegetative | 300–500 µmol/m²/s | Growth | 210–310 µmol/m²/s | none |
| Vegetative | 300–500 µmol/m²/s | Mature | 245–380 µmol/m²/s | 300–380 µmol/m²/s |
| Flowering/fruiting | 500–800 µmol/m²/s | Seedling | 100–200 µmol/m²/s | none |
| Flowering/fruiting | 500–800 µmol/m²/s | Growth | 210–310 µmol/m²/s | none |
| Flowering/fruiting | 500–800 µmol/m²/s | Mature | 245–380 µmol/m²/s | none |
They share a light level in 2 of 9 stage combinations.
For plants whose target is daily light (DLI), the PPFD shown is at their usual day length. On a different timer it changes.
How to make it work
Light is strongest under the centre of the fixture and weaker towards the edges. Put Cucumber under the centre and Basil towards an edge or the back of the tent.
If Cucumber still falls short, lift its pot on a box: closer to the light means more light, without changing anything for Basil.
Where exactly, in your tent?
That depends on your tent, your fixture and how high it hangs. Add Cucumber and Basil in the app and it shows where each pot gets its own light.