How to Grow Cabbage: From A to Z - Cabbage Plant Growth Stages

This post is all about cabbage plant growth stages and how to grow cabbage.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is a rewarding cool-season crop that thrives in cool temperatures, making it an ideal vegetable for an early spring or fall harvest. It does not tolerate warmer climates well, so timing your planting correctly is crucial. Whether you’re starting from seeds or transplanting seedlings from a nursery, understanding how to grow cabbage will help you cultivate healthy, robust cabbage heads. In this guide, we’ll break down each stage of cabbage development and provide essential growing tips for optimal growth.

This post is all about cabbage plant growth stages and how to grow cabbage.

Table of Contents

How to Grow Healthy and Big Cabbage

A critical component of growing healthy, big cabbage is recognizing that cabbage is a heavy feeder. But what does that mean? When a plant is a heavy feeder, it requires more nutrients than the average plant. Cabbage grows quickly and produces mature heads, demanding nitrogen-rich fertilizer, phosphorus, and potassium for optimal growth.

Other Heavy Feeders

Asparagus
Broccoli
Celery
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Melon
Okra
Peppers
Pumpkin
Squash
Tomatoes

To support heavy feeders, amend the soil a few weeks before planting with compost, aged manure, or balanced organic fertilizers. Growing companion plants like marigolds or nasturtiums can also help deter pests and improve soil quality.

Choosing the Right Cabbage Varieties

With over 400 cabbage varieties available, selecting the right type for your growing zone is essential. Research which varieties perform best in your region for the best results.

Popular Cabbage Varieties:

Napa Cabbage (Chinese cabbage): Tender, elongated heads; mild flavor
Savoy Cabbage: Crinkled leaves; great for stuffing and sautéing
Green Cabbage: Common variety; firm, dense heads
Red Cabbage: Vibrant color; high in antioxidants
Bok Choy: Asian variety; excellent for stir-frying
Brussels Sprouts: Small heads grown along a central stalk

When to Plant Cabbage

The right planting time depends on your gardening zone. It’ll highly depend on when your last and first frost dates are during the year. At the time of this post, it may be too late to plant for a summer harvest. However, it’s still possible to plant in late summer for a fall harvest.

Here are some guidelines as to when to plant:

Early Spring Planting: Start cabbage seedlings indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost date and transplant outside 2–3 weeks before the last frost date.
Late Summer Planting: Sow cabbage seeds directly or transplant seedlings in late summer for a fall harvest.

Cabbage Plant Growth Stages: Seed Germination (Days 3–10)

Ok, so we’re ready to start growing our cabbage from seed! If you’re not growing from seeds, you can skip this step and continue with the seedling and transplanting stage. Something to keep in mind is that cabbage can be a bit slow growing, so have some patience. It can typically take 70 to 100 days (depending on the variety) to grow from seed to harvest.

How to Start Cabbage Seeds

If you’re growing from seed, it’s a pretty simple process as long as you have the right soil and environment set up. Always use seed starting soil! Never use soil straight from the garden as it won’t have the necessary nutrients for your seedlings. The soil is also too compact for seeds to get going.

Start young cabbage plants indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost date for an early harvest.

Use well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Maintain a temperature of 65–75°F (18–24°C).
Provide 12–16 hours of bright light daily using grow lights or a sunny windowsill.
Keep soil moisture consistent, avoiding dryness or oversaturation.
Ensure good air circulation to prevent downy mildew.

Once seedlings develop their first true leaves, they can be thinned or transplanted into individual pots.

What are ‘true leaves’?

The first leaves that emerge are known as cotyledons. These are actually part of the seed and help with photosynthesis. After the cotyledons, ‘true leaves’ emerge. These leaves look different than cotyledons and will be what the plant will grow moving forward.

Seedling Stage & Transplanting (Weeks 1–4)

As young plants grow, they establish their root systems and develop stronger stems and leaves. It’s time to start preparing to transplant them.

Once seedlings are 3–4 inches tall and have at least two sets of true leaves, they can be moved to larger containers or start prepping them to be transplanted. Transplantation outside should be done just before the last frost date. Before planting outdoors, gradually expose seedlings to outdoor conditions over a 7-day period. This step is known as hardening off.

Skipping hardening off can result in transplant shock, stunted growth, cold damage, sunburn, and other issues. ‘Hardening off’ means the seedlings must slowly be introduced to their outside environment to get used to the outside elements.

If you’re direct sowing outside, use well-drained soil that’s nutrient-rich, with a pH of 6.0–6.8. Adding compost or aged manure improves fertility. Since cabbage are quite large plants, make sure they have the appropriate spacing. They need to be planted at least 24 to 36 inches apart for optimal results. If they’re not given enough space, they’ll become overcrowded and start competing for nutrients.

Vegetative Growth (Weeks 4–8)

Congratulations on transplanting your seedlings! Once transplanted into the garden, cabbage plants focus on developing strong leaves and roots. To have the best possible harvest, your plants should have the best soil.

Best Soil Quality for Cabbage:

Enrich loamy, well-draining soil with compost.
Add blood meal or fish emulsion to provide nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
Maintain moist soil but prevent waterlogging.
Use mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Head Formation (Weeks 8–14)

At this stage, cabbage plants begin forming tight, compact cabbage heads. We’re getting closer to harvest time. To encourage healthy head formation, following these tips:

Consistent watering prevents heads from splitting.
Use shade cloth to protect from heat in warmer climates.
Feed with phosphorus and potassium (e.g., bone meal).

This process of forming the head of the cabbage can take up to 6 to 8 weeks after your seedling was transplanted. If you direct sowed into the ground, it’ll take 10 to 12 weeks.

Maturity & Harvest (Weeks 14–18)

Cabbage is ready for harvest when heads are firm and dense. As mentioned previously, depending on the variety, it can take up to 70 to 100 days to get to this point. If your crop has made it this far without too many hiccups, great job!

Harvesting Tips:

Cut mature heads at ground level with a sharp knife.
Leave outer leaves intact for small heads to regrow.
Store fresh cabbage in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Preserve by fermenting into homemade sauerkraut.

Congratulations! You’ve harvested your first cabbage that you grew!

Common Cabbage Growing Issues & Fixes

✔ Leggy Seedlings → Increase light exposure & lower temperatures.
✔ Yellowing Leaves → Feed with compost tea for nitrogen boost.
✔ Downy Mildew → Improve air circulation & avoid overhead watering.
✔ Pests (Cabbage Loopers, Aphids, Slugs) → Use floating row covers, sprinkle diatomaceous earth, or plant companion plants like thyme and mint.
✔ Bolting (Premature Flowering) → Keep moist soil and avoid temperature fluctuations.
✔ Black Rot → Remove infected plants immediately to prevent spreading.

Final Tips for Growing Perfect Cabbage Plant Growth Stages

🌱 Rotate crops yearly to prevent disease.
🌱 Interplant cabbage with marigolds & nasturtiums for natural pest control.
🌱 Harvest before a hard freeze to prevent outer leaves from damage.
🌱 Water plants regularly but avoid oversaturation.
🌱 Use square foot gardening for maximizing space in small gardens.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to grow strong, healthy cabbage plants from seed to harvest!

This post was all about cabbage plant growth stages and how to grow cabbage.

How to Grow Cabbage: From A to Z – Cabbage Plant Growth Stages