Growing cabbage in USDA Zone 11 means frost-free and tropical: plant by heat and the wet/dry season, not by frost dates. Cabbage is a cool-season brassica that can be grown in Zone 11, but only in the coolest months. Planted in the cool season with steady water, it forms firm, heavy heads; planted in the heat, it stays loose and bolts. This guide covers when to plant cabbage in Zone 11, with the soil, spacing, sun, water and care it needs. Use the Zone 11 planting calendar to see what else to sow alongside it.
Zone 11 at a glance
USDA Zone 11 has average winter lows of 40 to 50°F and is frost-free year-round — there is no last or first frost date to plan around. Plan by heat and by the wet and dry seasons instead: heat lovers grow year-round, while cool-season crops only succeed in the coolest months. These are zone averages, not promises for any one garden, so check your local extension service for your area.
| Detail | Zone 11 guidance |
|---|---|
| Last / first frost | None — Zone 11 is frost-free year-round |
| Average winter low | 40 to 50°F |
| Days to germination | 7–14 days |
| Days to maturity | 60–90 days |
| Sowing | Direct sow, or start indoors and transplant |
| Transplanting / planting out | Year-round (frost-free); best results in the planting window above |
| Harvest | Harvest 60–90 days after sowing/transplanting; pick regularly |
| Sun | full sun |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Spacing | 12–24 inches |
| Water needs | moderate |
When to plant cabbage in Zone 11
In Zone 11, grow cabbage only in the coolest months, roughly December to February, when temperatures are at their lowest. Zone 11 is frost-free, with average winter lows of 40 to 50°F, so there is no frost to work around — heat is the limit instead. Start seed indoors a little before the cool season so transplants are ready as temperatures drop. Cabbage takes 60–90 days to maturity. Check your local extension service for the coolest planting windows in your area. If you are unsure of your own dates, the seed-starting calculator will help you work the timing out. Frost dates are zone averages — check your local extension service before you commit to a date.
Starting cabbage in Zone 11
Cabbage can be started indoors or direct sown, but starting indoors is the better route in Zone 11, since you can time transplants to the cool season. Sow in trays, keep them moist, and grow seedlings on in good light — seeds germinate in 7–14 days. Harden off for a week, then transplant 12–24 inches apart, setting seedlings a little deeper than they grew in the tray.
Soil, spacing, sun and water
Cabbage wants full sun and rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Dig in plenty of well-rotted compost before planting, since it is a heavy feeder, and mulch to keep the roots cool as the season warms. Firm the soil around transplants so they do not rock in the wind. Cabbage needs moderate water, kept even. Water at the base in the morning, keep the soil moist while heads are forming, and mulch to hold moisture in. Uneven watering can split heads, especially after a dry spell followed by heavy rain, so keep watering steady.
Companion planting
Good companions for cabbage include marigolds, basil, onions, lettuce. The companion planting finder can suggest combinations for your whole bed. Do not plant cabbage where other brassicas grew last year, and do not crowd plants. Good companions include marigolds, basil, onions and lettuce around the edges of the bed, and aromatic herbs help mask cabbage from pests.
Pests and problems
The common pests and problems to watch for with cabbage are cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, slugs. Cabbage worms are the main pest: green caterpillars that chew holes in leaves and heads, so inspect plants often and hand-pick them, or cover the crop with fine insect mesh from planting. Aphids cluster on young leaves, flea beetles chew small holes, and slugs take seedlings. Mesh is the most reliable control.
Harvest and storage
Cabbage is ready 60–90 days after sowing. Cut the head when it feels firm and solid when squeezed, cutting the stem at the base with a sharp knife. Harvest before heads split in wet weather, and leave the stump in place — small side heads often follow. Store cabbage in the fridge for several weeks, since it keeps better than most brassicas, or in a cool, dark place if you have one. Use the outer leaves first and keep the head dry.
Making the most of Zone 11
Zone 11 cabbage is a cool-season crop: plant in the coolest months, water evenly, and cover with mesh from day one. Firm heads come from steady growth, so the goal is to avoid any check — no drought, no heat spike, no hungry soil. Related reading: Kale in Zone 11 and December in Zone 11. For how the same crop behaves one zone colder, see Cabbage in Zone 9.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant cabbage in Zone 11?
In Zone 11, grow cabbage only in the coolest months, roughly December to February, when temperatures are at their lowest. Check your local extension service — these are zone averages, not exact dates for your garden.
How long do cabbage take to grow in Zone 11?
Seeds germinate in 7–14 days, and the crop takes 60–90 days to maturity. In Zone 11, allow the longer end of the range if conditions are cool or dry at sowing time.
Why did my cabbage heads split open?
Heads usually split after uneven watering, especially a dry spell followed by heavy rain, so keep watering even through the cool season and harvest heads as soon as they feel firm.
What soil and spacing do cabbage need in Zone 11?
Cabbage need full sun and soil pH 6.0–7.0, spaced 12–24 inches apart. Dig in well-rotted compost, water deeply, mulch, and test your soil through your local extension service.