Vegetable · Brassicaceae family
cabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
In short a 10-second read
Cabbage (vegetable) grows to 0.25–0.6 m tall and 0.3–0.6 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Sow in February–April. Plant out in May–June.
× spread 0.3–0.6 m
Where to plant
Sun and soil.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: clay, humus-rich, loamy, sandy
Soil pH 6–8
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Sowing
sow indoors: February–April
Planting out
transplant outdoors: May–June
Winter protection
does not overwinter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When do I sow cabbage?
In February–April (sow indoors).
Does cabbage tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does cabbage need?
At maturity 0.3–0.6 m wide and 0.25–0.6 m tall; recommended spacing 40 cm.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 2 September 2026.
Show sources (7)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Brassica oleracea
- RHS — Cabbages — grow your own
- Wikidata (CC0) — Brassica oleracea var. capitata
- EPPO Global Database — Brassica oleracea
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, EASIN
_Black_rot_(35710676671).jpg){kind=link}