Cauliflower
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Family: Brassicaceae
Cauliflower grows in full sun and prefers fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Water needs: Moderate; keep soil consistently moist.
Photo Gallery
Plant reference images showing growth stages and identifying features.
Photo info
Photo info
Photo info
How to Grow Cauliflower
Cauliflower growing information includes sunlight requirements of Full sun, soil conditions listed as Fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter with a soil pH of 6.0-7.0, and Moderate; keep soil consistently moist water needs. The listed hardiness zones are 2-11 as an annual crop. For propagation reference, the database lists germination or establishment information for Cauliflower as 5-10 days, with planting or establishment depth listed as 1/4-1/2 inch. Days to maturity are listed as 55-100 days depending on cultivar.
Plant Overview
Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) is listed in the Brassicaceae family and categorized as a vegetable with a biennial grown as an annual life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Moderate.
- Plant ID
- PLT-0022
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Plant type
- Vegetable
- Life cycle
- Biennial grown as an annual
- Alternate names
- Flowering cabbage
- Growth habit
- Upright cool-season brassica forming a dense central curd
- Mature height
- Approximately 18-30 inches
- Mature spread
- Approximately 18-24 inches
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Growing Conditions
Cauliflower is listed for full sun conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; keep soil consistently moist. The database soil reference is Fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. The listed soil pH range is 6.0-7.0, and the listed hardiness range is 2-11 as an annual crop.
- Hardiness zones
- 2-11 as an annual crop
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter
- Soil pH
- 6.0-7.0
- Water needs
- Moderate; keep soil consistently moist
- Plant spacing
- 18-24 inches
Seed & Germination
For seed starting, the listed germination time is 5-10 days and the seed depth is 1/4-1/2 inch. The listed time to maturity is 55-100 days depending on cultivar. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.
- Germination
- 5-10 days
- Germination temperature
- About 45-85°F; strongest germination near 60-75°F
- Seed depth
- 1/4-1/2 inch
- Sowing method
- Start indoors or direct sow for cool-season production
- Start indoors
- Usually 4-6 weeks before transplanting
- Transplanting
- Transplant during cool weather after plants develop several true leaves
Harvest & Propagation
- Days to maturity
- 55-100 days depending on cultivar
- Harvest
- Cut the head while the curd is compact, firm and before it begins to separate
- Propagation
- Primarily by seed
- Pollination
- Insect-pollinated when allowed to flower
Garden Information
- Common pests
- Cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, aphids, flea beetles and cutworms
- Common diseases
- Clubroot, black rot, downy mildew and damping-off
- Uses
- Fresh eating, roasting, steaming, mashing, soups and pickling
Related Plants
Find, buy, swap, or sell Cauliflower
One World One Seed connects this plant profile to community sellers, plant swaps, storefronts, and participating garden retailers.
Growing Reference Note
Plant performance can vary with climate, soil, weather, cultivar, seed quality, and gardening methods. The values on this page are general database reference ranges rather than a substitute for local extension guidance or seed-packet instructions.