What Are the Growth Stages of Cabbage?

Cabbage is one of the most popular vegetables in cooler weather and climate. It is packed with dietary minerals and vitamins, which makes it a healthy vegetable to include in your diet. While it can be grown in both summer and winter, it’s not too fond of the heat or too much sun, so you might have to plan around the climate periods in the area you plan on growing it.

If you’re interested in learning how to grow cabbage yourself, you’re probably wondering how long it takes for cabbage seeds to grow into cabbage heads that can be harvested. That depends entirely on the kind of cabbage you plan on growing. Typically, however, they will take anywhere between two to six months from when the seeds are planted. Read on to learn more about the basic stages of cabbage growth.

THE GERMINATION STAGE

This is the first developmental stage in the life cycle of cabbage. Once you plant the cabbage seeds — whether that’s directly in your garden soil or in a container — you will find that the seeds begin to germinate within three to four days. The growth at this point depends largely on certain conditions like temperature, nutrients in the soil, sunlight, and water.

Cabbage is a pretty heavy feeder, which means that it requires soil rich in nutrients and other organic matter. You will need to prepare the soil by adding compost to it and ensure that it is kept well-drained at all times during the germination stage.

THE SEEDLING STAGE

Around 10 to 14 days after the beginning of the germination stage, the seedling stage begins. This is when the cabbage seed transitions from a seed to a baby plant. At this point in the cycle, the plant (or sapling) begins to sprout leaf-like structures, root-like structures (radicles), and stem-like structures. Collectively, all these structures make up what is known as a seedling. 

The seedling is entirely dependent on nourishment from the seed since the young leaves, roots, and stems are still underdeveloped and incapable of producing their own food.

THE VEGETATIVE STAGE

Following the seedling stage, the embryonic structures of the seedline begin to expand and elongate and become capable of carrying out complex physiological tasks like absorbing water and nutrients from their surroundings, distributing these materials to different parts of the plant, photosynthesis, and transpiration.

At this point in the cabbage life cycle, the seed leaves will transform into true leaves, the radicle into true roots, and the shoots into proper stems. By the end of the stage, you’ll find yourself with a whole plant.

At this point, your plant may become susceptible to pests and insects. The leaves may also start curling if they aren’t taken care of properly. Ensure that you’re adding enough fertilizer, pesticides, and water to the soil at this stage.

THE FLOWERING STAGE

The final stage of the life cycle of cabbage involves the production of flowers. Once all the plant structures are fully mature, the plant becomes capable of flowering. The flowers that grow from the mature structures are responsible for the reproduction process in the plant, which ensures the preservation of the species.

As the flowers produce their own seeds, the plants begin to die, which signals the end of the life cycle of the cabbage plant.

THE FRUITING STAGE

Following the blooming and bolting stages that make up the flowering stage, the leaves of the plant form into cabbage heads, which are ready to be harvested. The overall cycle should be complete in three to four months after planting.