How to Grow Kohlrabi: Planting, Care, and Harvesting

Nov 03, 2026by David Schulze

Kohlrabi looks unusual, but it is a straightforward cool-season vegetable once you understand what you are growing. Its round, swollen stem develops above the soil and offers a crisp texture and mild, cabbage-like flavor. The leaves are useful cooking greens, too.

The keys to tender kohlrabi are suitable weather, enough space, consistent moisture and timely harvesting. Here is how to grow it from seed and bring it to the kitchen before the stems become tough.

What Is Kohlrabi?

Kohlrabi is a form of Brassica oleracea, related to cabbage, broccoli and kale. Its edible round base is an enlarged above-ground stem, not an underground root or a tight cabbage head.

Varieties may have pale green or purple skins, while the interior is generally pale. Some are selected for harvest at a modest size; others are bred to stay tender at much larger sizes. Choose a variety that fits your space and follow its harvest guidance rather than applying one size limit to every kohlrabi.

When to Plant Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi generally grows best in cool to mild conditions. Spring and fall are useful planting seasons in many areas. Established plants can tolerate light frost, but severe cold and tender seedlings require more caution.

In Texas, early spring and fall often provide better conditions than prolonged midsummer heat. Mild-winter areas may support winter harvests, while the Panhandle and North Texas have different planting windows and freeze risks.

Use your county extension calendar, local forecast and seed packet to choose dates. For spring crops, leave enough time to harvest before intense heat. For fall crops, allow extra growing time as daylight decreases rather than counting backward using summer growth rates alone.

Prepare the Growing Site

Choose a location with at least about 6 hours of direct sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Some afternoon shade may help during a warm spell, but heavy shade can limit development.

Mix in finished compost where appropriate, remove hard clods and weeds, and use a soil test to guide amendments. A pH around 6.0 to 7.5 suits many plantings.

Because the swollen stem grows above ground, kohlrabi does not need the deep root bed required by a long carrot. It still needs loose soil and good drainage for healthy roots.

How to Plant Kohlrabi Seeds

Choose direct sowing or transplants. Sow outdoors when conditions suit the variety, or start indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before your planned transplant date.
Sow shallowly. Plant about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, following your packet if it differs.
Maintain moisture. Water gently and keep the seed zone evenly moist without flooding it.
Provide strong light indoors. Give seedlings bright light after emergence so they stay compact rather than stretching.
Thin early. Allow about 6 to 8 inches between plants for many standard varieties, with rows roughly 12 to 18 inches apart. Larger varieties may need considerably more room.
Harden off transplants. Gradually introduce outdoor sun, wind and temperature before planting. Move young plants before they become root-bound.

Germination often occurs within about a week in favorable conditions, but soil temperature and moisture affect timing. Plant transplants at approximately their previous growing depth and keep the growing point clear. Do not bury them deeply to try to create a larger swollen stem.

Succession Planting

For a manageable harvest, sow small batches about 2 to 3 weeks apart while the season remains suitable. This helps avoid having an entire bed reach ideal harvest size at once.

Stop spring sowings before they would have to mature in prolonged extreme heat. Fall succession planting also needs to leave enough time before growth slows or severe cold arrives.

Watering and Feeding

Keep growth steady. Check soil moisture regularly and water the root zone before prolonged drying stresses the plants.
Avoid wet-dry extremes. Drought followed by heavy watering can contribute to uneven growth and splitting.
Maintain drainage. Constant saturation can harm roots. Wilting in wet soil is not automatically a request for more water.
Feed moderately. Follow soil-test recommendations and fertilizer labels. Excess fertilizer will not solve crowding, shade or a poor planting season.
Mulch carefully. A light mulch helps conserve moisture and reduce weeds. Keep it away from the developing swollen stem.
Weed shallowly. Remove weeds while small and avoid cutting nearby roots.

Do Not Hill Soil over the Swollen Stem

It is normal for the rounded edible portion to sit above the soil with leaf stalks emerging around it. Do not cover it as though it were an exposed potato or assume it needs to be pushed underground.

Keep wet soil, mulch and debris from collecting against the swelling and growing point. Give plants room to develop naturally and leave healthy leaves in place to support growth.

Growing Kohlrabi in Containers

Choose a container with drainage holes and about 10 to 12 inches or more of growing depth. Allow the variety's recommended spacing across the container rather than squeezing several plants into a small pot.

Use quality potting mix and check moisture frequently, especially in Texas heat and wind. Water thoroughly when needed, let excess drain and feed according to container fertilizer directions.

Standard compact varieties are easier to accommodate than giant types. Match the container to mature plant size, not just seedling size.

Pest and Disease Care

Kohlrabi can attract cabbageworms, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, aphids and other brassica pests. Inspect growing tips and leaf undersides regularly and identify the problem before treating.

Fine insect netting or a suitable row cover over a clean planting can help exclude some pests. Secure the edges, allow room for growth and check that insects are not already trapped underneath. Watch for overheating during warm weather.

Provide airflow, water at soil level when practical and remove badly diseased material. Rotate brassicas to different beds when possible. If treatment is necessary, use a product labeled for kohlrabi and the specific pest or disease, following every direction and harvest interval. Confirm leaf-harvest permissions if you intend to eat the greens.

When to Harvest Kohlrabi

Check the packet's maturity estimate and inspect plants frequently as the stems enlarge. Many standard varieties reach harvest in roughly 45 to 65 days, but the starting point for that estimate and actual growing time vary.

For many standard types, about 2 to 3 inches across is a useful harvest target. Giant varieties may remain tender at much larger sizes, so follow their specific guidance. Do not assume a bigger standard kohlrabi will be a better one.

Cut a sample and assess tenderness if you are unsure. Heat, uneven moisture, age and variety can all affect texture. Waiting until every plant is oversized can mean missing the best eating quality.

How to Harvest Stems and Leaves

Use a clean knife or pruners to cut the narrow stem beneath the swollen portion, or lift the plant and trim away roots. Handle carefully to avoid damaging neighboring plants that are still growing.

Leaves are edible, but take only a few from established plants before the main harvest. Repeatedly stripping leaves can reduce stem development. At whole-plant harvest, separate sound leaves and store them apart from the swollen stems.

Harvesting the main swelling finishes that plant's useful kohlrabi crop. Do not rely on the remaining stump to produce another comparable harvest; use succession sowing instead.

Storing and Preparing Kohlrabi

Cool the harvest promptly. Remove most foliage to reduce moisture loss from the swelling and refrigerate stems and leaves separately in clean bags or containers. Avoid leaving them sitting in water, and wash thoroughly before preparation.

Peel away the tough outer skin and any fibrous areas. Slice tender flesh into sticks for fresh eating, shred for slaw, roast in cubes or add to soups and stir-fries. The leaves can be cooked much like other brassica greens.

Discard produce that becomes slimy, moldy or develops an off odor. Planting seeds are not food; kitchen suggestions refer to harvested stems and leaves.

Common Growing Problems

Leaves but little swelling: Check maturity, crowding, light, heat and fertility. Confirm that you have given the crop enough time under suitable conditions.
Woody texture: Review harvest size, variety and stress. Harvest standard types younger and keep growth steadier.
Split stems: Review moisture fluctuations and delayed harvest. Split produce needs prompt inspection and use only if sound.
Holes in leaves: Inspect for caterpillars and flea beetles rather than assuming every hole has the same cause.
Yellowing or wilt: Check soil moisture, drainage, roots and pest damage before adding fertilizer.
Flower stalks: Cold exposure followed by warming can contribute to bolting in susceptible plants. Adjust future timing rather than expecting a flowering plant to return to ideal stem production.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is kohlrabi a turnip?

No. Kohlrabi is a swollen above-ground stem of a cabbage relative. Turnips are a different crop grown mainly for their enlarged root and lower stem area.

Does purple kohlrabi have purple flesh?

Usually the purple color is concentrated in the skin, while the peeled interior is pale. Check the variety description for its specific traits.

Can I grow kohlrabi in Texas?

Yes. Choose a suitable spring or fall window, provide consistent moisture and harvest on time. Prolonged intense heat is generally less favorable for tender stems.

Can I keep picking leaves like collards?

You can take a few leaves, but heavy repeated picking works against a good swollen-stem harvest. Grow extra plants for greens if that is your main goal.