How to Grow Cauliflower
Get Your Exact Cauliflower Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP, city, state, or zone for a personalized planting calendar.
Ready to grow Cauliflower?
Order seeds from trusted suppliers.
* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
🛠️ Supplies You'll Need
* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
🌿 Plant Overview
☀️ Growing Requirements
☀️
Sun
Full Sun (6 hours)
💧
Water
Regular (1-1.5 inches/week)
↔️
Spacing
18" apart
🌱
Depth
0.5" deep
📏
Height
18-24"
🌱
Germination
4-10 days
Ready to Grow Cauliflower?
Find quality seeds from trusted suppliers.
* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
⚠️ Avoid Planting Near
Full Companion Planting Guide for Cauliflower
See which plants help Cauliflower thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →
Common Cauliflower Varieties
Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.
Snowball Y Improved
Classic white cauliflower with dense, tight curds; reliable and widely adapted.
Cheddar
Orange-headed variety with a mild, buttery flavor and high beta-carotene content.
Graffiti
Brilliant purple cauliflower that holds its color when roasted; slightly nutty flavor.
Romanesco
Lime-green logarithmic spirals with a mild, nutty taste; equally vegetable and art piece.
Days-to-maturity figures are approximate and vary by climate and growing conditions.
🌾 Seed Saving Guide
🔴 DifficultWhen to Harvest Seed
Allow head to bloom fully after the eating stage. Harvest seed pods when dry and tan.
Processing
Thresh dried seed stalks, winnow seeds from chaff.
Seed Viability
Up to 5 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.
Pro Tip
B. oleracea — crosses with all other oleracea cole crops. Very difficult to keep pure at home scale.
Seed Storage Supplies
* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Raised Bed Planting Guides
A 4×8 bed fits 14 plants of Cauliflower. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →
Cauliflower Planting Calendar by Zone
Cauliflower Planting Calendar by State
Other Plants
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cauliflower? +
Start Cauliflower seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors 0 weeks after the last frost. Use the search on this page to find exact dates for your ZIP code or city.
How long does Cauliflower take to grow? +
Cauliflower typically matures in about 75 days from planting. Exact timing varies by variety, soil conditions, and local climate.
Should I start Cauliflower indoors or direct sow? +
Cauliflower should be started indoors 6 weeks before the last frost date. This gives seedlings time to establish before being transplanted outside after frost danger has passed.
How much sun does Cauliflower need? +
Cauliflower requires full sun (6 hours) to thrive.
How far apart should I plant Cauliflower? +
Space Cauliflower plants 18 inches apart to allow adequate airflow and root development.
How much water does Cauliflower need? +
Cauliflower has regular (1-1.5 inches/week) water needs. Consistent moisture is important especially during germination and early growth.
Can you save seeds from Cauliflower? +
Yes — seed saving difficulty for Cauliflower is rated difficult. Allow head to bloom fully after the eating stage. Harvest seed pods when dry and tan. Thresh dried seed stalks, winnow seeds from chaff.
How long do Cauliflower seeds last in storage? +
Properly dried and stored Cauliflower seeds remain viable for up to 5 years. Store in a cool, dark, dry location in an airtight container with a silica gel packet for best results.
Are Cauliflower seeds open-pollinated? +
Yes — Cauliflower is open-pollinated, meaning seeds saved from your harvest will grow plants true to the parent variety. This makes it an excellent candidate for building a self-sustaining garden.
About Cauliflower
More finicky than broccoli. Blanch heads by tying leaves over curd for white varieties.
Expect your Cauliflower to be ready for harvest in approximately 75 days from planting.
Use the search above or browse by zone or state to find the perfect planting dates for your location.