Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra)
2 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Site
- 6+ hours of sun, soil pH 6–7.5
- Biggest risk
- Club root
Red cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra) — biennial grown as an annual.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
At a Glance
Quick Facts
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6 - 7.5 |
| Sunlight | 6-6 hours direct sun |
| Soil texture | humus-rich, deep loamy soil (Plantura); fertile, free-draining (RHS) |
| Drainage | well-drained |
| Lifecycle | biennial grown as an annual |
| Edible parts | leaves, head |
Soil & Growing Conditions
Water: consistent moisture, heavy feeder (Plantura)
Soil pH range
Span reflects genuine variation between the cited authorities, not a single agreed figure.
Growth Stages
| Stage | BBCH | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sowing | 0 | Sow 1cm deep indoors in modular trays or 2cm deep outdoors in a drill; timing depends on variety (late winter-mid spring for summer types, mid-spring to early summer for autumn/winter, July for spring cabbages) (RHS). |
| Transplanting | 3 | Move outdoors once seedlings are 10-15cm tall with a good root system; space 40-50cm apart for summer varieties, up to 70cm for autumn/winter varieties (RHS, Plantura). |
| Head formation | 4 | Heavy feeder in humus-rich, deep loamy soil at slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH; heads develop over the following months (Plantura). |
| Harvest | 8 | Ready 4-6 months after sowing; cut through the stem base once firm (RHS). |
Harvest & Storage
When to pick: Ready 4-6 months after sowing; cut through the stem base once heads reach the desired firmness and size (RHS). Keep refrigerated at least a week; winter varieties store several months in cool, frost-free conditions.
Diseases
Pests
Red Cabbage, Seedling to Harvest
References
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Sow depth 1cm. Timing by variety: summer types February-March (heated) or March-April, autumn/winter types spring, spring varieties July-August. Spacing: summer varieties 40-50cm apart with 50cm between rows; autumn/winter varieties need 70cm, needing extra space and a longer growing period. Thrives in humus-rich, deep loamy soil at a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH, full sun to partial shade; a heavy feeder needing nutrient-rich soil. Acts as a natural bioindicator: appears red in acidic soils, blue-hued in alkaline soils. Good companions: carrots, lettuce, onions, beans, tomatoes, thyme, sage; avoid other brassicas nearby. Allow 4+ years before replanting cruciferous vegetables to prevent club root. Can be container-grown, minimum 20cm diameter/depth pot, one plant per container.
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country=UK
2 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What soil pH do red cabbages need?
A pH of about 6–7.5. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
What problems affect red cabbages?
Our data links 1 disease and 3 pests to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.
Plan next season before the problems start
This page gives you the thresholds; the planner turns them into your own calendar. It works from what you can observe and measure in your garden rather than from dates written for somebody else’s latitude.
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