How to Grow Cabbage

Intermediate

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

A cool-season brassica forming dense heads. Tolerates light frost, which can improve flavour. Needs consistent moisture.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity
70–100 days
typical
Per Square Foot
1
Plant Spacing
46 cm / 18"
Sun
6+ hours
Water
1.5" / 38 mm
Fertilization
heavy feeder

Growing Notes

Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow in midsummer for a fall crop. Harvest when heads feel firm.

Varieties & Cultivars

11 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

Brassica rapa var. pekinensis

(1)
Napa (Chinese)
60–70 days Open-Pollinated

crisp mild sweet leaves; Wong Bok type; bolt-resistant; excellent for stir-fries kimchi and wraps

Height
12–16" (30–41 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
4.0 lb (1800 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
4 years

Compact red-purple heads 1-1.5kg

(1)
Red Acre
75–85 days Open-Pollinated

solid dense heads

Height
10–14" (25–36 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.6 lb (1200 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
4 years

Early maturing compact green cabbage

(1)
Early Dane
60–70 days Open-Pollinated

small tight heads; good for small gardens; quick harvest

Height
8–12" (20–30 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.8 oz (22 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

German flat cabbage

(1)
Steiner's Early Flat
70–85 days Open-Pollinated

excellent for sauerkraut and cooking; dense fine-grained texture

Height
12–18" (30–46 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.0 oz (28 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Green

(4)
Brunswick
85–95 days Open-Pollinated

excellent for sauerkraut; stores well

Height
12–18" (30–46 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
5.9 lb (2700 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
4 years
Copenhagen Market
65–75 days Open-Pollinated

excellent flavour; good for kraut

Height
12–16" (30–41 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
3.5 lb (1600 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
4 years
Early Jersey Wakefield
60–70 days Open-Pollinated

sweet mild flavour; compact plants for small spaces

Height
10–14" (25–36 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.2 lb (1000 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
4 years
Golden Acre
60–65 days Open-Pollinated

reliable spring producer

Height
10–14" (25–36 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.2 lb (1000 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
4 years

Savoy

(2)
January King
140–180 days Open-Pollinated

semi-savoy; extremely frost hardy

Height
12–18" (30–46 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
3.1 lb (1400 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
4 years
Savoy Perfection
80–90 days Open-Pollinated

tender sweet flavour; cold hardy

Height
12–18" (30–46 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.6 lb (1200 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
difficult
Seed viability
4 years

Tight green round heads

(1)
Jade Cross
75–85 days Hybrid

slow bolting; good for summer harvest; reliable hybrid

Height
12–18" (30–46 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.1 oz (30 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside cabbage, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Thyme : Thyme repels cabbage moths
Celery : Celery deters cabbage white butterflies
Rosemary : Rosemary repels cabbage moths
Onion : Onions repel cabbage maggots and loopers
Garlic : Garlic deters cabbage pests and fungal diseases
Beet : Complementary root zones; beets do not compete
Swiss Chard : Complementary root zones and nutrient needs
Dill : Dill attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize cabbage worms
Spinach : Spinach uses space between cabbage plants
Rhubarb : Rhubarb leaves may deter whiteflies and cabbage worms
Sage : Sage repels cabbage moths
Mint : Mint deters cabbage moths (grow in containers)
Artichoke : Both heavy feeders that benefit from rich soil; artichoke's height provides wind protection

Keep Apart

Tomato : Compete for nutrients; cabbage may stunt tomato growth
Strawberry : Brassicas and strawberries compete for nutrients and attract shared pests

Square Foot Spacing

1 per sq ft

12" apart (entire square)

View full spacing chart →

Ready to grow cabbage?

Plan your garden with exact spacing and zone-specific planting dates. An AI companion helps with the rest.

Start Planning Free →