How To Grow Napa Cabbage

Growing your own vegetables is rewarding, and learning how to grow napa cabbage is a great place to start. This mild, crunchy cabbage is perfect for salads, stir-fries, and fermenting into kimchi, and it thrives in cool weather with a bit of simple care.

Unlike regular round cabbage, napa cabbage forms an oblong, barrel-shaped head with delicate, crinkly leaves. It’s a fast grower, which means you can enjoy the results of your labor relatively quickly. With the right timing and conditions, you’ll be harvesting crisp heads from your garden.

Success with napa cabbage hinges on understanding its preferred growing conditions. It’s a cool-season crop that bolts, or goes to seed, quickly in hot weather. Planning your planting dates is the most important step to ensure a good harvest.

When to Plant Napa Cabbage

Timing is everything. You have two main planting windows: early spring and late summer for a fall harvest.

For a spring crop, sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date. Transplant seedlings outside 2-3 weeks before that last frost, as they can tolerate a light frost.
For a superior fall crop, sow seeds directly in the garden in mid-to-late summer, about 6-8 weeks before your first fall frost. The cooling temperatures of autumn are ideal for head formation.

If you plant too late in spring, the summer heat will cause it to bolt. The fall crop is often sweeter and more reliable because it matures as days get shorter and cooler.

Choosing the Right Location and Soil

Napa cabbage needs full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It can tolerate very light shade, but too much shade will result in loose, poorly formed heads.

The soil should be fertile, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0) is perfect.

Prepare the bed by mixing in several inches of compost or well-rotted manure a few weeks before planting.
Ensure the soil is loose to a depth of at least 12 inches to allow roots to spread easily.

Planting Seeds and Seedlings

You can start napa cabbage from seeds sown directly in the garden or from transplants you start indoors.

Direct Sowing

Create a shallow furrow about 1/2 inch deep.
Sow seeds thinly, spacing them about an inch apart.
Cover lightly with soil and water gently.
Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to the final spacing of 12-18 inches apart in rows that are 18-24 inches apart. Crowded plants won’t form good heads.

Using Transplants

Start seeds indoors in cell trays filled with seed-starting mix.
Keep the soil moist and provide plenty of light to prevent leggy seedlings.
Harden off seedlings for a week before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.
Plant them at the same depth they were growing in their pots, spacing them 12-18 inches apart.

Essential Care and Maintenance

Consistent care is simple but crucial for forming tight, solid heads.

Watering

Napa cabbage has shallow roots and needs consistent moisture. Aim for about 1-1.5 inches of water per week, from rainfall or watering.

Water at the base of the plant to keep leaves dry and prevent disease.
Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation for best results. Inconsistent watering can lead to split heads or poor growth.

Fertilizing

Because it’s a heavy feeder, napa cabbage benefits from extra nutrients.

At planting time, you can mix a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil according to package directions.
Side-dress the plants with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer (like blood meal or a balanced blend) when they are about halfway to maturity, roughly 3-4 weeks after transplanting.

Weeding and Mulching

Keep the area around your plants free of weeds, which compete for water and nutrients. A 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, like straw or shredded leaves, is a gardener’s best friend here.

Mulch suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, and keeps the soil temperature cool—exactly what napa cabbage loves.

Common Pests and Problems

Like all cabbages, napa can attract certain pests. Early identification and action are key.

Cabbage Worms and Loopers: These green caterpillars can chew large holes in leaves. Check the undersides of leaves regularly. Handpick them off or use an organic pesticide containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which is very effective.
Aphids: Small clusters of these insects can be found on new growth. A strong spray of water from the hose can dislodge them, or use insecticidal soap.
Slugs and Snails: These pests love tender cabbage leaves, especially in damp weather. Use beer traps, diatomaceous earth, or iron phosphate bait around your plants.
Bolting: If the plant sends up a flower stalk prematurely, it’s usually due to planting too late in spring or a sudden spike in temperature. The leaves become bitter. Focus on the fall planting window for best results.

Using floating row covers from the day you plant can physically block many of these pests from reaching your crop.

Harvesting and Storing Your Napa Cabbage

Most napa cabbage varieties mature in 50-80 days. The heads are ready when they feel firm and solid when you gently squeeze them.

Use a sharp knife to cut the head at the base, just above the soil line.
You can harvest the whole plant at once, or if you have a lot, you can pick individual outer leaves as needed while the head continues to grow.

For the best flavor, harvest in the morning when the leaves are crisp and full of moisture. Freshly harvested napa cabbage can be stored in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer for 1-2 weeks. Wrap it loosely in a plastic bag to retain humidity.

For longer storage, napa cabbage is excellent for fermenting. It’s the primary ingredient in kimchi, and you can also make simple sauerkraut with it. Blanched leaves also freeze reasonably well for use in cooked dishes later.

Recommended Varieties to Try

Choosing a good variety can make your gardening experience even better. Here are a few reliable ones:

Blues: A popular hybrid known for its uniformity, disease resistance, and good bolt tolerance.
Minuet: A compact variety perfect for smaller gardens or containers, maturing in about 50 days.
Rubicon: Known for its vigorous growth and very dense, heavy heads with sweet flavor.
Tokyo Bekana: While often grown as a loose-leaf green, it can form loose heads and is extremely bolt-resistant for early spring planting.

FAQs About Growing Napa Cabbage

Can I grow napa cabbage in containers?

Yes, you can! Choose a large pot that is at least 12 inches deep and wide for each plant. Ensure it has excellent drainage and use a high-quality potting mix. Container plants may need water more frequently.

Why are my napa cabbage heads not forming?

Loose heads or no heads at all are usually caused by overcrowding, not enough sunlight, insufficient water, or planting too late in the season (leading to bolting instead of heading). Check that you’ve met all the basic requirements for spacing and sun.

What is the best companion plants for napa cabbage?

Good companions include aromatic herbs like dill and mint, which can deter pests. Onions, celery, and potatoes are also good choices. Avoid planting it close to other brassicas like broccoli or cauliflower, as they attract the same pests.

How do I prevent my cabbage from splitting?

Splitting occurs after a heavy rain or excessive watering following a dry period. The head absorbs water too quickly and bursts. Maintain consistent, even moisture throughout the growing season to prevent this. If a head is mature and heavy rain is forecasted, you can harvest it a bit early.

Can I save seeds from my napa cabbage?

Saving seeds is possible but tricky for home gardeners because napa cabbage is a biennial. It produces seeds in its second year after going through a cold period (vernalization). It also cross-pollinates easily with other brassicas, so saved seeds may not come true to type. For most, it’s easier to buy new seeds each year.

Growing napa cabbage at home is a straightforward process that yields delicious results. By paying attention to planting times, providing consistent water and fertile soil, and protecting your plants from common pests, you’ll be able to enjoy your own homegrown harvest. Whether in a garden bed or a container, this versatile vegetable is a wonderful addition to any home gardener’s lineup.