Napa Cabbage Planting Guide
Napa cabbage forms tall, barrel-shaped heads with tender, crinkled leaves and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It is the primary cabbage used for kimchi.
Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis · Vegetable · Brassicaceae family · 55–75 days to maturity
Where Can You Grow Napa Cabbage?
Napa Cabbage Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Napa Cabbage planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 10 | May 15 | May 22 | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 3 | May 10 | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | Apr 29 | May 6 | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | Apr 24 | May 1 | Jun 26 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | Apr 11 | Apr 25 | Jun 20 – Jul 25 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 4 | Apr 18 | Jun 13 – Jul 18 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | Apr 10 | Jun 5 – Jul 10 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Mar 20 | Apr 3 | May 29 – Jul 3 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Mar 25 | May 20 – Jun 24 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 11 | Mar 4 | Mar 18 | May 13 – Jun 17 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 1 | Feb 22 | Mar 8 | May 3 – Jun 7 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Feb 25 | Apr 22 – May 27 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Feb 10 | Apr 7 – May 12 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 4 | Jan 25 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 2 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 2 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 2 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 2 |
Growing Conditions
Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
Water
High — keep soil consistently moist
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Hardiness Zones
Zone 2a – 11b
Growing Tips
Best grown as a fall crop. Direct sow in late summer, 60-70 days before first frost. Keep soil evenly moist. Bolt-resistant varieties are available for spring planting.
Saving Napa Cabbage Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Napa Cabbage by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Napa Cabbage?
Napa Cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) takes 55 to 75 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Napa Cabbage grow in?
Napa Cabbage can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Napa Cabbage need?
Growing Napa Cabbage requires Partial Shade (3-6 hours), High — keep soil consistently moist, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.