How to Grow Napa Cabbage
Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis
Napa cabbage forms tall, cylindrical heads with crinkly pale-green leaves. It prefers cool weather and bolts quickly in heat or long days. Best sown mid-to-late summer for autumn harvest. Direct sow or transplant into fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Cover with insect mesh against flea beetle. Keep consistently watered — drought stress causes bolting. Harvest when heads feel firm and solid.
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 8°C — typically early to mid spring. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks earlier for a head start.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Apply balanced liquid feed fortnightly once heads begin to form. Napa cabbage is a fast grower and benefits from consistent nutrition.
- Best grown as a late summer/autumn crop to avoid bolting. Sow from July onwards for autumn harvest. Cover with fine mesh to protect from flea beetle and cabbage white. Keep soil consistently moist.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 8°C+
- Germination temperature
- 15–25°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 45 cm |
| Sow depth | 1 cm |
| Mature height | 40 cm |
| Mature spread | 30 cm |
Napa cabbage forms tall, upright cylindrical heads. Space 30 cm apart for full-size heads, or 20 cm for baby-leaf harvests.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 8°C |
| Germination temperature | 15–25°C |
| Base growth temperature | 5°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | long day |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Napa Cabbage?
- Plant Napa Cabbage 30cm apart with 45cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Napa Cabbage?
- Napa Cabbage is ready to harvest approximately 70 days after transplanting.
- Is Napa Cabbage frost hardy?
- Napa Cabbage is classified as Hardy.
