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When to Plant Kai Lan in South Carolina

Kai lan (Chinese broccoli) is a brassica grown for its thick, glossy stems and small flower buds. It has a slightly bitter, broccoli-like flavor essential in Cantonese cooking.

South Carolina spans USDA hardiness zones 7b, 8a, 8b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Kai Lan planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Kai Lan Planting Calendar for South Carolina

Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 25
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 – Sep 13
Harvest May 6 May 6 – Jun 3
Zone 8a ~255 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 8 · First frost: November 18 · 255 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 – Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22
Direct Sow February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 15
Fall Sowing September 9 Sep 9 – Sep 23
Harvest April 26 Apr 26 – May 24
Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 21 Jan 21 – Feb 4
Transplant Outdoors February 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11
Direct Sow February 11 Feb 11 – Mar 4
Fall Sowing September 19 Sep 19 – Oct 3
Harvest April 15 Apr 15 – May 13

Growing Tips for South Carolina

Direct sow in spring or fall. Harvest when flower buds first appear but before they open. Cut stems at the base to encourage side shoots. Prefers cool weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kai Lan in South Carolina?

Planting dates for Kai Lan in South Carolina depend on your USDA zone. South Carolina spans zones 7b, 8a, 8b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is South Carolina for planting?

South Carolina contains USDA hardiness zones 7b, 8a, 8b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.