Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Cauliflower

The diva of the brassica family. More temperamental than broccoli but worth the extra attention.

Sun

Full sun (6-8 hours)

Water

1-2 inches per week

Days to Harvest

55-80

Difficulty

advanced

Spacing

24"

Frost Tolerance

moderate

The Short Answer

Cauliflower are cold-tolerant and actually prefer cooler growing conditions. Or start seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost for an even earlier harvest. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Cauliflower

Cauliflower is the most demanding brassica — it requires consistent temperatures between 60-70°F during head formation, which is a narrow window in most climates. Temperature swings cause 'buttoning' (premature tiny heads) or ricey, loose curds. Many varieties need blanching: when the head reaches 2-3 inches, tie the outer leaves over it with a rubber band to block sunlight and keep the curd white. Self-blanching varieties save this step. Purple and green varieties don't need blanching and are generally more forgiving for beginners.

Starting Seeds Indoors

Begin cauliflower seeds indoors 6 weeks before your average last frost date. Seeds need soil temperatures of at least 45°F to germinate, which typically takes 5-10 days. Provide 12 hours of light per day using a south-facing window or grow lights.

Transplanting

Move seedlings outside 2 weeks before your last frost date, once soil temperatures reach 45°F. Harden off seedlings for 7 days before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.

Fall Planting

Cauliflower are planted in fall, 10 weeks before your average first frost date. Plant 0.25" deep, 24" apart.

Growing Tips

Blanch white varieties by tying outer leaves over the head when it reaches 2 inches. Temperature swings cause buttoning.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Beets Celery Onions

Keep away from:

Strawberries Tomatoes

Cauliflower Planting Dates by State

Click your state for cauliflower planting dates specific to your location:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026