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How to Grow Cauliflower: Plant, Grow & Harvest Like a Pro

white cauliflower growing the garden
Image Credit:
Pixabay
Botanical Name
Brassica oleracea
Grown as
Biennial
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Water Needs
Moderate
Height
1–3 feet
Spread
1–3 feet
Soil pH
Neutral
Bloom Time
Spring
Flower Color
White
Special Features
Container-Friendly
Resilience
Clay Soil Tolerant
Cold Hardy
Plant Type
Vegetables
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Cauliflower may look fancy, but it’s really just cabbage in disguise! Whether you’re after classic white or craving purple or orange flair, this cool-season crop is a garden standout. 

Just give it some sunshine, steady temps, and a little TLC—and it’ll reward you with nutty, tender heads perfect for roasting, ricing, or sneaking into mac and cheese. Ready to grow your own superfood? Let’s get planting!

This vegetable’s name comes from the Latin words caulis, for cabbage, and floris, for flower. It’s a descendant of wild cabbage! Like its cousin broccoli, the tightly bunched florets of cauliflower are connected by a thick core, often with a few light leaves surrounding it.

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Though usually white, cauliflower also comes in other colors, including purple, yellow, and orange. No matter the color, the taste is the same: mild, slightly sweet, and a little nutty.

Cauliflower can be a challenge for beginner gardeners because it requires consistently cool temperatures in the 60°Fs. Otherwise, it may prematurely “button”—form small, button-size heads—rather than forming a single, large head.

Planting

Cauliflower should be grown in a spot that gets full sun (6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day). Lack of sunlight may produce thin, leggy plants and subpar heads. In summer, shade plants from the hot sun, if necessary.

Soil needs to be very rich in organic matter; mix aged manure and/or compost into the bed before planting. As an alternative, apply 5-10-10 fertilizer to the planting site. Fertile soil helps to prevent heads from buttoning.

When to Plant Cauliflower

  • Cauliflower grows best as a fall crop (cool weather is best for head formation), but can be grown in spring, too.
  • We suggest buying cauliflower seedlings (aka “transplants”) versus starting them from seed, as cauliflower can be finicky.
  • Spring Planting:
    • If you start from seed, sow seeds indoors 4 to 5 weeks before the last spring frost date.
    • Plant seedlings outdoors 2 to 4 weeks before the last spring frost date.
  • Fall Planting:
    • Plant a fall crop 6 to 8 weeks before the first fall frost date, but after daytime temperatures are regularly below 75°F.

How to Plant Cauliflower

  • Sow seeds in rows 3 to 6 inches apart and up to ½ inch deep.
  • Set plants 18 to 24 inches apart with 30 inches between rows.
  • In early spring, be ready to protect plants from frost by covering them with old milk jugs, if necessary. Extreme cold can halt growth and/or form buttons.
  • Water consistently during germination and growth. Add mulch to conserve moisture.

cauliflower growing in the garden

Growing

  • Cauliflower dislikes any interruption to its growth. Change, in the form of temperature, moisture, soil nutrition, or insects, can cause the plants to develop a head prematurely or ruin an existing one.
  • Water regularly with 2 inches of water per square foot each week; even with normal rainfall, cauliflower usually requires supplemental watering.
  • For best growth, side-dress the plants with a high-nitrogen fertilizer 3 to 4 weeks after transplanting.
  • Note that the cauliflower will start out as a loose head and that it takes time for the head to fully form. Many varieties take at least 75 to 85 days from transplant. Be patient!
  • Brown heads indicate a boron deficiency in the soil. Drench with 1 tablespoon of borax in 1 gallon of water. (Avoid getting boron on other plants.) Or, provide liquid seaweed extract immediately; repeat every 2 weeks until symptoms disappear. In the future, add more compost to the soil.
  • For white varieties, pink heads can indicate too much sun exposure or temperature fluctuations. Purple hues can be due to stress or low soil fertility.

Blanching Cauliflower Heads

When the curd (the white head) is 2 to 3 inches in diameter, blanch it: Tie the outer leaves together over the head and secure with a rubber band, tape, or twine to keep light out. (This is not necessary for self-blanching or colored varieties). The plants are usually ready for harvest 7 to 12 days after blanching.

Harvesting

  • Plants are usually ready to harvest in about 50 to 100 days, depending on variety, or 7 to 12 days after blanching.
  • When the heads are compact, white, and firm, then it is time to harvest them. Ideally, the heads will grow to 6 to 8 inches in diameter.
  • Cut the heads off the plant with a large knife. Be sure to leave some of the leaves around the head to keep it protected.
  • If the heads are too small, but have already started to open up, they will not improve and should be harvested immediately.
  • If the cauliflower has a coarse appearance, it is past maturity and should be tossed.

How to Store Cauliflower

  • Store heads in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. They should last for about a week.
  • For long-term storage, you can also freeze or pickle the heads. To freeze, cut into 1-inch-bite pieces. Blanch for 3 minutes in lightly salted water. Cool in an ice bath for 3 minutes, drain, and package. Seal and freeze.

Pests and Problems

Cauliflower Pests and Diseases

Pest/DiseaseTypeSymptomsControl/Prevention
AphidsInsectCurled, misshapen/yellow leaves; distorted flowers/fruit; sticky “honeydew” (excrement); sooty, black moldGrow companion plants; knock off with water spray; apply insecticidal soap; put banana or orange peels around plants; wipe leaves with a 1 to 2 percent solution of water and dish soap (no additives) every 2 to 3 days for 2 weeks; add native plants to invite beneficial insects (such as ladybugs)
Black rotFungusYellow, V-shape areas on leaf edges that brown and progress toward leaf center; leaves eventually collapse; stem cross sections reveal blackened veinsDestroy infected plants; choose resistant varieties; provide good drainage; remove plant debris; rotate crops
Cabbage loopersInsectLarge, ragged holes in leaves from larval feeding; defoliation; stunted or bored heads; excrementHandpick off plants; add native plants to invite beneficial insects; spray larvae with insecticidal soap or Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)—a natural, bacterial pesticide; use row covers; remove plant debris at end of season
Cabbage root maggotsInsectWhite maggots become gray flies that resemble small houseflies. Wilted/stunted plants; off-color leaves; larvae feeding on rootsUse collars made of plastic or tin foil around seedling stems; monitor adults with yellow sticky traps; use row covers; destroy crop residue; till soil in fall; rotate crops
CabbagewormsInsectLeaves have large, ragged holes or are skeletonized; heads bored; dark green excrement; yellowish eggs laid singly on leaf undersidesHandpick; use row covers; add native plants to invite beneficial insects; grow companion plants (especially thyme); spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)
ClubrootFungusWilted/stunted plants; yellow leaves; roots appear swollen/distortedDestroy infected plants; solarize soil; maintain soil pH of around 7.2; disinfect tools; rotate crops
Downy mildewFungusYellow, angular spots on upper leaf surfaces that turn brown; white/purple/gray cottony growth on leaf undersides only; distorted leaves; defoliationRemove plant debris; choose resistant varieties; ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering
Nitrogen deficiencyDeficiencyBottom leaves turn yellow and the problem continues toward the top of the plantSupplement with a high nitrogen (but low phosphorus) fertilizer or blood meal. Blood meal is a quick nitrogen fix for yellowing leaves
Stink bugsInsectYellow/white blotches on leaves; shriveled seeds; eggs, often keg-shape, in clusters on leaf undersidesDestroy crop residue; handpick (bugs emit odor, wear gloves); destroy eggs; spray nymphs with insecticidal soap; use row covers; weed; till soil in fall
ThripsInsectLeaves, especially in folds near base, have white patches or silver streaks; brown leaf tips; blistering/bronzing on leaves; brown streaks on cauliflower curds; heads distorted or stunted; curling or scarringRemove plant debris; choose resistant varieties; add native plants to invite beneficial insects; use row covers; use straw mulch; monitor adults with yellow or white sticky traps; use sprinklers or other overhead watering
White rustFungusChalk-white blisters mainly on leaf undersides; small, yellow-green spots or blisters, sometimes in circular arrangement, on upper leaf surfaces; possible distortion or galls; stems may also be infected. More common with warm days and cool/moist nightsDestroy infected plants; choose resistant varieties; weed; destroy crop residue; rotate crops

Types

  • ‘Graffiti’: purple; tends to be milder and sweeter than the white varieties.
  • ‘Snowball’: smooth, white, medium 6-inch heads; a good yield throughout the growing season.
  • Orange varieties, such as ‘Cheddar’ and ‘Flame Star’, are creamier and sweeter than white varieties, with more vitamin A.
cauliflower at a farm stand
Cauliflower at a farm stand in Washington, D.C., 2019. 
Credit: Wendy Hagen.

Wit and Wisdom

Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.
-Mark Twain (1835-1910)

Vegetables

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening, so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Dr. Mohammad M…</span> Mon, 11/24/2014 - 01:44
Dear All, Could you please let me know the reason why small curd develops in the stem of cauliflower plant. One curd is obvious in one cauliflower plant, but we found some plant bear small curds below the main curd. We will be grateful if someone give us the reason why it is happening. For your better knowledge, we are cultivating cauliflower in Bangladesh and it is a subtropical country and the temperature is 30 - 20 degree C respectively at day and night. Thanks
<span>Michelle And John</span> Tue, 09/02/2014 - 18:17
I am harvesting a head of cauliflower however I find a bunch of black turds to say the least. If I rinse these of can you eat or should you discard..
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 09/03/2014 - 11:48

Most likely this is frass (poop) from a cabbage looper or other caterpillar pest. It should be fine to eat the cauliflower if you first wash it properly. First, soak the cauliflower head for one to two minutes in cold water, then rinse. Then, use a vegetable brush to scrub the crevices in the cauliflower head, rinse again, and pat dry with a paper towel. After this, you might also try rinsing the head in a solution of 1/2 cup white vinegar to 2 cups water, then rinse with fresh water and pat dry with a paper towel. This can help eliminate some more bacteria.

 

For more information about washing produce, see:

 

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09369.html

 

http://umaine.edu/publications/4336e/

 <span>Donald Hoch</span> Tue, 08/05/2014 - 10:33
My heads do very well growing but when I harvest them there are a lot of small black spots on the white flowers. I do not know what this is or what causes it.I have heard of "black rot" but when you scratch off the spot it is only on the surface. Can this be my problem and if so how can I prevent it next year? Please reply. Thank you
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 08/06/2014 - 10:37

Several diseases and problems cause black or brown specks. Black rot may show up as V-shape yellow areas on the leaves that point to a vein. It may spread into the stems, which when cut may show a brown discoloration. The head may have many black specks, discoloration, and black veins. This is caused by bacteria that overwinter on plant debris, or reside in infected seeds. It can survive in the soil for 2 years. High temperatures and humidity help it to spread, and is easily transmitted by garden tools, insects, wind, splashing water, etc. If you suspect this is black rot, do not plant cole crops in that area for 2 or 3 years. Remove all plant debris each season, keep up with weeding, and buy certified disease-free seeds.

 

Black speck is a physiological disorder, not related to a bacteria, fungus, or virus. In this, tiny black specks appear in the interior of the curd, on the stems and flower stalks. You can see it when you break open the head, but they are not on the outer top of the head. Black speck can appear in warm weather during rapid growth, and may be related to a nutrient deficiency.

 

Downy mildew can also discolor heads. Sometimes cauliflower will develop black specks just as a part of aging, indicating that the head is past its prime.

 

 <span>Michele Rivera</span> Tue, 07/29/2014 - 19:24
This is the first year I have grown cauliflower and I was wondering why would some of it turn purple not all of them did in fact we had some for dinner tonight and it was very good of course they were nice and white but why would it turn purple and is it safe to eat?
<span>Mike Batchelor</span> Tue, 08/26/2014 - 14:10
You should always tie the leaves over the head as sson as it appears to keep the head shaded and white.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 07/30/2014 - 10:14

Long, hot days will cause red-purple discoloration in cauliflower. Certain varieties (one is Snow Crown) are more vulnerable to this than others, especially in hot weather. Try a bit raw and see if you like it.

 <span>Nishant Mishra</span> Sun, 07/27/2014 - 11:43
i never do any growig of vegetable ... i am newcomer in farming. i want to grow cauliflower in my land . i am from allahabad utter pradesh. i have no idea about growing cauliflower. so, give me some ideas . how to grow cauliflower.
<span>Marc Berard</span> Mon, 06/16/2014 - 14:59
so far I have had good luck in my apartment I have full light exposure and extra lighting ...I have potatoes growing like crazy I have celery , tomatoes onions basil ...I have a question a lot of my things I took and put in water until they grew roots is that possible with the cauliflower? im trying all different types of things besides flowers its kinda fun but would like any input from others if possible!! thanks again~~ Happy Gardening~~ marc n deidre