How to Grow Kohlrabi

Updated June 2026

A cool-season brassica for the home garden.

What it looks like as it grows

Kohlrabi is a rewarding cool-season crop for backyard growers.

🌱 Plant profile: Kohlrabi, with sowing times for your region, companion plants and common pests.

When to plant

Kohlrabi is a cool-season crop. In the South and Southwest, plant in fall through winter when the heat eases. See your region on the kohlrabi page for exact timing.

Varieties

• Early White Vienna, Fast, tender pale-green bulbs (Southern Exposure Seed Exchange)
• Purple Vienna, Purple-skinned, white-fleshed (Baker Creek)

How to grow it

• Sun & soil: full sun, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
• Spacing: about 8 in between plants.
• Sowing: sow about 0.5 in deep.
• Water: roughly 1.3 gal per plant every 2 days in hot weather.
• Containers: grows well in a pot of 12 in+.

Pests & problems

Watch for Imported cabbageworm and Aphids. In humid regions, Clubroot can appear, so space for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Kohlrabi is usually ready to harvest in about 2 months. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant kohlrabi where you garden.

See also: Kohlrabi in the plant library →

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