Napa Cabbage

Nappa Cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) – 4–5 Inch Pot
Available in Jupiter, FL. at Urban Abundance.

Soft, sweet, and surprisingly versatile—Nappa Cabbage, also known as Chinese cabbage, is a cool-season favorite with tender leaves and a mild flavor. It’s the secret to amazing stir-fries, slaws, kimchi, and wraps. A member of the Brassicaceae family, Nappa is a cool-season annual leafy vegetable that thrives in South Florida’s dry winter months.

Sold in a 4–5 inch pot, this starter plant is ready to settle into raised beds or garden rows, where it quickly forms elongated, barrel-shaped heads with crinkled, pale green leaves.

Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade. 5–7 hours of sunlight daily supports steady, uniform head development.
Watering Needs: Moderate. Keep soil evenly moist, especially during head formation. Avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf rot.
Soil Requirements: Fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost. Ideal pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.
Growth Habit: Upright, leafy head-forming plant. Grows 12–18 inches tall and wide.
Harvest Timing: Ready to harvest 60–70 days after transplanting. Harvest once the head is firm and compact at the base.
Cold Tolerance: Excellent. Performs best from October through March in South Florida.
Special Features:

• Mild, sweet flavor with tender texture

• Fast-maturing and high-yielding

• Perfect for soups, wraps, and homemade kimchi

• Can be grown in garden beds or large containers

South Florida Notes: Nappa cabbage grows quickly and reliably in our cooler season. Space generously to avoid overcrowding and encourage airflow. Monitor for aphids or cabbage loopers—early treatment with neem oil or BT spray is effective.

Next steps after purchase:

• Transplant into fertile, well-draining soil in full sun

• Space 12–18 inches apart for airflow and head development

• Water consistently and mulch to retain moisture

• Fertilize with an organic vegetable blend every 3–4 weeks

• Harvest when heads feel full and firm at the base

This is a cool-season annual—meaning it grows and completes its life cycle in one season, then should be replanted in the next cool-weather cycle.