When should I harvest my cabbage?

Harvest when the head feels firm and dense to the touch.

Why is my cabbage bolting?

Bolting is usually caused by exposure to high temperatures or long days.

Plant guide

Spring Cabbage.

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

Pronounced BRASS-ih-kuh oh-ler-AY-see-uh

Also known as Brassica oleracea var. capitata, Shetland cabbage, cabbage

Brassica oleracea — Photo by Adam Mark Lucas-Krol (CC BY) via gbif

Spring cabbage is a hardy biennial vegetable grown for its tender, leafy heads. It is typically sown in late summer to overwinter for an early harvest the following spring. These plants thrive in cool weather and provide a fresh harvest when little else is ready.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Biennial vegetable
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 45cm height and 45cm spread
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 2 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer of the second year

Care

Plant in firm, fertile soil and keep the area weeded to prevent competition. Watch for cabbage white butterflies and aphids, which can quickly damage the leaves. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged to encourage steady growth.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells, to prevent the heads from splitting.
Feeding: Apply a balanced nitrogen rich fertilizer once growth accelerates in early spring.
Pruning: Remove any yellowing or damaged lower leaves to improve air circulation and prevent rot.
Repotting: Cabbage is typically grown directly in the garden bed and does not require repotting.
Soil: Well drained, fertile, loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 0 to 25°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Biennial, typically grown as an annual.
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot
Stunted growth despite regular feeding

Safety

People: The plant is non-toxic to humans.
Pets: This plant is non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: No specific safety concerns for children, though raw leaves are a choking hazard if not chopped finely.
Contact allergens: Handling the leaves may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen from the flowers can trigger seasonal allergies in some people.
Edibility: Raw consumption in large quantities may affect thyroid function due to goitrogens.

How to identify it

Loose or firm leafy heads
Waxy, blue green foliage
Broad, thick, crinkled leaves
Compact, low growing habit

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, purple, blue-green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, white, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: green, purple, Late summer to winter

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: Spring, Late summer
Overwintering: In mild climates, leave in the ground with mulch. In harsh winters, harvest before the ground freezes.
In containers: Cabbage grows well in large containers at least 30 centimeters deep and wide.

Seed starting

Sow seeds 1 centimeter deep in seed trays.
Keep soil moist and at room temperature.
Transplant seedlings after 4 to 6 weeks.

Plant aromatic herbs like dill or rosemary nearby to confuse cabbage-loving insects.

Grows well with

Dill — Dill attracts beneficial wasps that prey on cabbage pests.
Onion — The strong scent of onions helps mask the cabbage from pests.

Keep away from

Strawberry — Strawberries can stunt the growth of cabbage when planted in close proximity.

Similar species

Kale — It is a close relative that does not form a tight head.
Broccoli — It shares similar growing requirements and pest profiles.

Science

Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Brassica
Order: Brassicales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Coastal regions of Europe.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It thrives in cool, moist climates and is highly adapted to nutrient-rich soils.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, larval host plant
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: culinary vegetable, fermentation, ornamental garden, cover crop

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 8/9
Salinity: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

When should I harvest my cabbage?: Harvest when the head feels firm and dense to the touch.
Why is my cabbage bolting?: Bolting is usually caused by exposure to high temperatures or long days.

Where the name comes from

The name Brassica is the Latin word for cabbage, while oleracea means vegetable garden. Capitata refers to the head-forming habit of the plant.

Good to know

Cabbage is a member of the mustard family.
There are over 400 varieties of cabbage.
Cabbage is rich in vitamins C and K.
The heaviest cabbage ever grown weighed over 130 pounds.
Cabbage was once used as a medicinal poultice for wounds.

Keep your spring cabbage growing

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.