Moisture range
40–60%
Days to maturity
70–100
Light
Full sun
Growing Degree Units
1250 · base 40°F
When to plant cauliflower in your zone
Indoor-start, transplant and harvest dates calibrated to your climate.
Growing notes
For the best quality cauliflower, grow it in rich, moist soil without drought stress. Dense, flavorful curds grow in cool temperatures, between 50°F and 70°F.
Harvest signs
when heads reach usable size, before the flower buds open. Heads should be smooth, firm, and compact
▶Planting reference— Depth, spacing, pH, light
▶Pests & diseases— flea beetles, imported cabbage worm, cabbage looper, diamondback moth, +6 more
Common pests · 7
Flea beetles: chew small holes in leaves (Seedlings are most vulnerable to injury from this feeding) ↗
Imported cabbage worm: larvae feed on the leaves (Young seedlings and transplants are most vulnerable to injury from this feeding) ↗
Cabbage looper: larvae feed on the leaves (Young seedlings and transplants are most vulnerable to injury from this feeding) ↗
Diamondback moth: larvae feed on the leaves (Young seedlings and transplants are most vulnerable to injury from this feeding) ↗
Cabbage maggots: feed on the roots, injuring the plants, sometimes killing them ↗
Swede midge: can cause cauliflower to produce no crown ↗
Cabbageworms: eat large, irregular holes in the foliage ↗
Companions & antagonists
Plant near:DillMarigold
Keep apart from:Tomato
Tip: Blanch heads by tying leaves over curd.
Common questions
How much water does cauliflower need?
Cauliflower is water-sensitive — shallow roots and a steady thirst. Keep soil moisture in roughly the 40–60% range and don't let it dry out fully, or growth stalls and leafy crops turn bitter.
Can I grow cauliflower in a raised bed or container?
Yes — cauliflower does well in raised beds and is happy in a decent-sized container too, as long as drainage is good.
Does cauliflower come back every year?
No — cauliflower is an annual. It completes its life in one season, so you replant it each year.