Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage) in Zone 11a & 11b
Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis
When to plant napa cabbage (chinese cabbage) in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage) tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Dec 4–Dec 11 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 1–Jan 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Feb 27–Mar 6 (~57 days after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1 ft.

Napa cabbage (also called Chinese cabbage) forms a dense, barrel-shaped head of crinkled, mild-flavored leaves, the classic base for kimchi, and a sweeter, more tender alternative to standard green cabbage.
How napa cabbage (chinese cabbage) fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free in this dataset, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage).
Where to buy napa cabbage seeds
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing napa cabbage (chinese cabbage)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage) in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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