Napa Cabbage
Photo: "Napa Cabbage" by Jay & Melissa Malouin · CC BY-SA 2.0
Vegetable · Brassica-head

Napa Cabbage

Brassicaceae

Tall barrel-shaped head of pale tender leaves. DIFFERENT SPECIES than round cabbage (B. rapa). EXTREMELY bolt-prone with NARROW temperature band (50-80°F). Bolts from cold vernalization (<50°F for >1 week in young plants) AND from heat (>75-80°F). Fall planting STRONGLY preferred — decreasing day length and cooling temps are ideal. Spring planting is risky. Less cold-hardy than round cabbage. Stores 1-2 months.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity
70–90 days
Sun
6+ hours
Spacing
12–18 "
Container
Yes
5+ gallon pot

Zone Planting Guide

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 5–10 days
Optimal Temp 75°F
Seed Depth 0.25"

Watering

Weekly Water 1–1.5 "
Needs Moderate-high

Soil

pH Range 6–7

Resilience

Heat: Low Cold: Medium

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Heavy feeder

Sources

university UMN Extension — Growing Chinese Cabbage seed-catalog Johnny's Seeds — Napa Cabbage university UMN Extension — Growing Chinese (Napa) Cabbage and Bok Choy university University of Arkansas Extension — Chinese Cabbage (PDF) seed-catalog Johnny's Selected Seeds — Chinese (Napa) Cabbage Key Growing Information

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Napa Cabbage Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Napa Cabbage vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

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