How to Grow Cauliflower in Australia
A cool-season brassica crop for the home garden
Growing Cauliflower rewards a little local know-how, and in the right season the plants do most of the work for you. It is rated advanced to grow. Saves ~$4-7/head vs supermarket, one head per plant.
This guide covers when to plant Cauliflower in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Cauliflower is a cool-season crop, half-hardy (it takes light frost but not a hard freeze). In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in February, March and April. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Position and Soil
Give Cauliflower full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6.5 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It needs an open garden bed rather than a pot, getting too big or deep-rooted for containers.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 1 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 55 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 8 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 20 degrees.
Fussy. Needs steady moisture and cooler weather, plant early autumn only.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 6 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Cabbage moth. The main diseases to watch are Clubroot and Black rot. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Cauliflower is typically ready to harvest in around 100 days (about 3 months). Fridge in a sealed bag, up to 1 week. Blanch and freeze well.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, cauliflower is good roasted as steaks with spices, blended into creamy soups, riced as a low-carb substitute and battered and baked as cauliflower wings. Nutritionally: high in vitamin C and antioxidants and contains sulforaphane for cell health.
Companion Planting
Cauliflower grows well alongside Beetroot, Celery, Onion, Dill, Rosemary, Sage and Chamomile. Keep it away from Strawberry, Tomato and Climbing beans. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Cauliflower Growing
Add cauliflower to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cauliflower in Australia?
Cauliflower is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in February, March and April. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Cauliflower take to grow?
Cauliflower is generally ready to harvest in around 100 days (about 3 months).
Can I grow Cauliflower in a pot?
It is best grown in an open garden bed rather than a pot, needing more root room than a container gives.
How much sun does Cauliflower need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Cauliflower in the Plant Library
