[Objective] We selected the cucumber to study the coupling effect of surface coverage with plastic film and maize straw on root growth and rhizosphere nutrients during fruiting period in greenhouse in order to provide the theoretical and technical support for the sustainable production of facility agriculture in cold and arid regions of North China.[Methods] Greenhouse experiment and laboratory test were used in this study.[Results] Treatments of combined coverage with plastic film and maize straw improved the content of organic matter, N, P and K in soil, and promoted root growth of cucumber. Compared with the control treatment in later fruiting period in the experiment, the treatment with 0.72 kg/m² of straw and covered with film produced the best effect, and the content of organic matter, total P, total K, nitrogen and root factor, root-shoot ratio, total root length, total root surface area, root activity were increased respectively by 20.83%, 22.83%, 5.16%, 5.53%, 73.24%, 32.76%, 65.42%, 45.94% and 10.41%.[Conclusion] The double coverage of straw and plastic film produced coupling effect and was better than coverage with single straw or plastic film.