Is it safe to eat cucumbers with holes in them?

January 10, 2026 •

4 min read

According to gardening experts, some internal holes in cucumbers are a purely cosmetic issue caused by environmental stress. But is it safe to eat cucumbers with holes in them, regardless of the cause? The answer depends on the source of the holes and the cucumber's overall condition.

Quick Summary

Deciding whether to eat a cucumber with holes depends on the cause, as issues can range from harmless growth defects to more serious pest or disease damage. Safe handling involves inspecting the cucumber for signs of rot, mold, or extensive damage, and discarding it if any red flags appear.

Key Points

Internal Holes: Clean, internal holes are often caused by uneven watering and are typically safe to eat after inspecting the cucumber for other issues.
External Pests: Cucumbers with minor, localized holes from insects can be salvaged by cutting away the damaged area and washing thoroughly.
Visible Rot or Mold: If you see any mold, slimy film, or soft, dark spots around the holes, discard the cucumber immediately.
Use Quickly: Damaged cucumbers, even if still safe, are more susceptible to spoilage and should be consumed within a couple of days.
When in Doubt: If you are unsure about the cause or safety of the holes, it's best to err on the side of caution and toss the cucumber.

Understanding the Causes of Holes in Cucumbers

Holes in cucumbers can be caused by several factors, which are important for determining if the vegetable is still safe to eat. Understanding the origin of the damage is the first step in assessing its edibility.

Physiological Reasons for Internal Holes

Sometimes, holes inside a cucumber are not caused by pests or disease but are a physiological issue known as "hollow heart". This occurs when the cucumber's internal segments fail to grow together properly, leaving small, triangular gaps. These are often the result of inconsistent growing conditions, such as irregular watering, which can cause the fruit to grow too quickly. Cucumbers with this condition are typically safe to eat, though they might have a slightly different texture or taste.

Pests and Insects

Insects are a common cause of holes in cucumbers. Pickle worms and cucumber beetles are frequent culprits, boring into the fruit from the outside. In many cases, if the damage is minor and localized, you can cut away the affected area and eat the rest. However, significant insect damage can introduce pathogens or cause extensive rot, making the cucumber unsafe. Always inspect the cucumber thoroughly for signs of wider infection.

Plant Diseases

Certain plant diseases can cause holes or soft spots on cucumbers, often accompanied by other signs of illness. Scab, a fungal disease, creates sunken, pitted spots on the fruit. Bacterial soft rot, caused by certain bacteria, can enter through damaged areas and lead to mushy, foul-smelling spots. Cucumbers infected with these diseases should be discarded.

A Comparison of Hole Types and Their Safety

To help you decide, here is a comparison of different types of holes and the corresponding safety precautions.


Feature	Internal Holes (Physiological)	External Holes (Pest/Damage)	Holes with Signs of Rot/Mold
Appearance	Clean, internal triangular or elongated gaps. Outer skin is often unblemished.	Small, distinct entry/exit holes on the surface. Can be a single or multiple openings.	Dark, sunken, and mushy spots around the hole. May have visible mold or sliminess.
Cause	Inconsistent watering, heat stress, or incomplete pollination.	Insects like cucumber beetles or pickle worms, or physical injury.	Bacterial or fungal infection entering through a break in the skin.
Taste/Texture	May be slightly bitter or have a softer texture, but generally fine.	Can be normal if damage is superficial. May have a slightly off taste near the affected area.	Unpleasant, sour, or putrid smell and taste. Soft, slimy, and watery texture.
Safety	Generally safe to eat.	Cut away the damaged portion and inspect for further signs of contamination. Wash thoroughly.	Not safe to eat. Discard or compost immediately.
Recommendation	Use in salads or recipes where cosmetic perfection isn't necessary.	Ideal for chopping into salads after trimming, or cooking.	Discard completely. Cucumbers are soft and mold spreads easily.

How to Handle Cucumbers with Holes Safely

Inspect the entire cucumber. Look for soft spots, mold, or a slimy texture in addition to the holes. If any of these are present, discard the cucumber. This rule is especially important for soft produce, where pathogens can spread beyond the visible damage.
Determine the source of the hole. If the holes are small, internal, and the cucumber is firm, it's likely a harmless physiological defect. For external damage, assess the severity. A few small, localized insect bites might be salvageable.
Trim generously. If you decide to keep a cucumber with minor damage, cut away a generous area around the hole, not just the damaged part itself. A good rule of thumb is to remove at least an inch beyond the visible damage.
Wash thoroughly. Even if you plan to peel the cucumber, wash the entire surface thoroughly with cool, running water to remove any dirt or bacteria on the skin. Do not use soap or detergent on produce.
Use quickly. Damaged cucumbers, even if salvageable, will spoil faster than perfect ones. Plan to use it within a day or two after cutting.

A Few More Tips

If the cucumber is significantly soft or mushy, it is past its prime and should be discarded, regardless of holes.
Consider composting unusable cucumbers to return nutrients to the soil rather than throwing them in the trash.
Be aware of food recalls. The FDA occasionally recalls cucumbers due to salmonella outbreaks, which can contaminate produce through water sources.

Conclusion

In summary, whether a cucumber with holes is safe to eat is not a simple yes or no answer; it requires a case-by-case evaluation. Internal, clean holes from inconsistent growth are generally harmless, while holes caused by pests or diseases present greater risks of contamination. The key is to thoroughly inspect the cucumber for any secondary signs of spoilage, such as mold, slime, or soft spots. By practicing careful inspection and proper trimming, you can often salvage slightly damaged produce, reducing food waste while staying safe. However, when in doubt, it is always safest to discard the cucumber. For information on foodborne illness, refer to the FDA's official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clean, internal holes in a cucumber are most often caused by a physiological disorder known as "hollow heart". This can result from inconsistent watering, high temperatures, or rapid growth that prevents the fruit's segments from fusing completely.

Minor, surface-level insect damage does not automatically make a cucumber unsafe. However, if the insects have bored deep into the fruit or if there are signs of accompanying mold or rot, the cucumber should be discarded.

Physiological damage, like hollow heart, leaves clean gaps inside the cucumber without any external entry or exit holes. Pest damage, from creatures like pickle worms, usually leaves a distinct hole or burrow on the cucumber's outer skin.

Yes, if the damage is minor and localized, you can cut away the affected portion. For soft produce like cucumbers, it is recommended to cut a generous margin around the damaged area to be safe.

If a cucumber is slimy, soft, or has visible mold, it is beginning to rot and should not be eaten, even if it has holes. Toss it into the compost or trash to prevent any risk of foodborne illness.

Cucumbers with internal holes from uneven growth may sometimes have a slightly bitter taste, though this is not always the case. The flavor is generally unaffected by cosmetic damage.

While uncommon, holes or signs of rot in store-bought produce should prompt caution. Given the risk of pathogens like Salmonella, as shown by recent recalls, it's best to discard any commercially purchased cucumber with visible signs of damage or spoilage.