Growing vegetables in containers is a great alternative to planting them in beds in the ground. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have much room, bad soil, or can’t or don’t want to bend all the way down to the ground. Containers can help you. Keep reading to learn how to grow cabbage in containers.
Cabbage is a cool weather crop that’s tasty, nutritious, and easy to grow With proper care, you can successfully grow cabbage plants in pots right on your patio or balcony. Follow this step-by-step guide for the best results
Choosing the Right Pot
Cabbage forms a large rounded head with spreading roots below ground. Select a container at least 12 inches wide and deep to provide enough room. Plastic, ceramic, wood, and fabric pots all work well, as long as there are drainage holes in the bottom. Dark colored pots absorb heat, which cabbage prefers for faster growth. Ensure there is a saucer under the pot to catch water and prevent messes.
Finding the Best Location
Cabbage thrives best in a spot that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Choose a location that is exposed to the sun for most of the day, such as a sunny deck, patio or balcony. The container can be moved around as needed to adjust sun exposure throughout the growing season. Just avoid intense afternoon sun in midsummer which can scorch leaves.
Using the Right Potting Mix
Cabbage plants need nutrient-rich soil to produce robust heads. Purchase a premium quality potting mix made for growing vegetables in containers. You can also make your own mix by combining equal parts garden soil compost and vermiculite. This will create the light, well-draining blend that cabbage prefers. Mix in a slow-release vegetable fertilizer as directed on the packaging.
Planting the Cabbage Starts
Cabbage can be grown from seeds or transplants. Starting with transplants saves time and helps avoid common seed starting woes. Look for young cabbage plants at garden centers early in the season when temperatures are still cool. Gently loosen the roots before planting. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and set the plant in at the same level it was growing before. Fill in with soil pressing firmly around the base to remove air pockets. Water well after planting to settle the soil.
Caring for Container Cabbage
Cabbage is relatively unfussy, but consistent moisture and nutrition are vital. Check soil daily, watering when the top 1-2 inches become dry. Add a thin layer of mulch over the soil to retain moisture and reduce weeds. Feed with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Rotate the pot occasionally for even growth. Stake larger plants if needed for support against wind and rain. Monitor for insect pests like cabbage worms and apply organic treatments promptly if found.
When to Harvest
Cabbage heads reach maturity in about 2-3 months after transplanting. Heads should feel very firm when squeezed. Use a sharp knife to cut the head at ground level when the head seems fully formed. Harvest promptly once mature to prevent splitting. After harvesting the central head, you can often get smaller side shoots developing for additional harvests.
Tips and Tricks for Success
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Time plantings for a fall harvest when temperatures are cooler. Cabbage can bolt prematurely in summer heat.
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Always water at soil level rather than overhead to reduce disease risk.
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If growth seems slow, give plants a nutrient boost with compost tea or fish fertilizer.
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For white cabbage with less worm damage, use row covers early on to exclude the pests.
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Harvest heads promptly when ready and refrigerate any extra. Cabbage keeps for weeks properly stored.
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Start a new crop every 2-3 weeks for a continuous harvest into winter.
Best Cabbage Varieties for Containers
Nearly all cabbage varieties can grow in pots, but some great options include:
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Golden Acre – Early variety, small 2 lb heads, great for small spaces
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Red Acre – Compact red-tinged heads, high yields
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Copenhagen Market – Round, dense 2-3 lb heads, good flavor
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Stonehead – Heat tolerant, 4-5lb blue-green heads
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Caraflex – cone-shaped heads resist splitting and bugs
With the right care and timing, you can enjoy homegrown cabbage without the need for a typical vegetable garden plot. Containers give you flexibility to move plants around as needed for optimal sunlight exposure. Monitor soil moisture, feed regularly, and harvest on time for bountiful yields from your patio cabbage patch!
Growing Cabbage in Pots
Yes, you can grow cabbage in a pot. It’s easy to do so as long as you don’t pack too many plants in one pot. Cabbage plants can get huge, growing as high as 4 feet (1 m. ) and nearly as wide. Limit your plants to one per 5-gallon (19 L. ) container. Your container grown cabbage will still grow planted closer together, but the heads will be noticeably smaller. Cabbage grows best when the daytime temperature is around 60 degrees F. (15 C. ) and, in most places, it can be grown as both a spring and fall crop. For spring, start your seeds indoors four weeks before the last frost date. For fall, start them six to eight weeks before the first frost date. Transplant your seedlings into your large outdoor containers when they’re about a month old.
Care for Cabbages in Pots
Cabbage container care can be tricky. Cabbage needs steady, frequent watering to encourage healthy growth. But don’t water too much, or the heads might split! Water your plants twice or three times a week. Bugs and other pests can really bother cabbage. Growing cabbage in containers is great because you can use clean, fresh soil, but even cabbage grown in containers isn’t completely safe. If you don’t want cabbage worms and cabbage root maggots to lay their eggs in your soil, wrap your young plants in fabric. Wrap the base of your plants’ stalks with cardboard or tin foil to thwart cutworms. If your cabbage grown in pots gets sick in any way, throw away the soil at the end of the season. Don’t reuse it!.
How to Grow Cabbage from Seed in Containers & Grow Bags – From Seed to Harvest | Red & Green Cabbage
FAQ
How big of a container do I need for cabbage?
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Vegetable Container Size Chart
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Plant
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Minimum Size
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Preferred Size
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Cabbage
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5 gallon; 12 inch diameter
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10-15 gallon; 16-18 inch diameter
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Carrots
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1 gallon; 6-7 inch diameter
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2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter
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Cauliflower
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5 gallon; 12 inch diameter
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10-15 gallon; 16-18 inch diameter
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Can you plant cabbage seeds in a pot?
Cabbage seeds can be planted in the pot. You can also purchase transplants from a garden center. Plant the seeds or transplants about 18 inches apart. Cabbage is a plant with an extensive root system, so it’s important that they have room to grow.
How do you grow a cabbage plant?
Mix compost into the soil before planting.Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH. – **Water**: Consistent soil moisture is crucial for crisp and juicy cabbage heads.Water regularly to keep the
How many cabbage plants can you grow in a pot?
A 10-12 inches wide and deep pot is a good choice for growing cabbages. Only one cabbage plant will do best in one container, as planting more cabbage will result in smaller heads. The pot should have adequate drainage too. If you want to plant more cabbages in a single pot, go for wider containers. Here’s how you can grow Malabar Spinach in pots!
Can you grow cabbage in plastic pots?
Plastic pots, terracotta, and fabric grow bags all make fine containers for cabbage. When choosing a pot to plant cabbage in, the type of material it’s made out of doesn’t really matter. What does matter, however, is how well that material releases excess water. Poor drainage is the number one killer of cabbage grown in pots.