When to Plant Chinese Cabbage (Wombok) in Sydney, Warm Temperate Guide

Sow February to May and July to September. Right now in October it is out of season. The next sowing month is February.

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Also called wombok, napa cabbage.

Planting window
Sow in autumn for the most reliable heads, or in late winter for a spring crop. Summer sowings bolt in the heat.
Days to harvest
60 days
Sunlight
Full sun in cool weather. Part shade (afternoon) in warm zones to prevent bolting.
Water needs
Consistent moisture critical. Water deeply 2-3 times per week. Mulch to retain moisture...
Spacing
35cm apart, 45cm between rows
Soil pH
6.0-7.0

Published · Last reviewed · By GardenBuddy.au
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Chinese Cabbage (Wombok) guide is written for the Warm Temperate zone, which takes in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Chinese Cabbage (Wombok)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Wombok (also called Chinese cabbage, napa cabbage, or wong bok) forms tall, barrel-shaped heads of crinkled, pale green leaves. It is faster to mature than European cabbage (8-10 weeks), milder in flavour, and excellent for kimchi, stir-fries, and salads. A cool-season crop that bolts rapidly in warm or long-day conditions.

See what grows now in your own postcode

Planting Calendar for Warm Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- S/D S/T/D S/T/D T - S S/T/D T - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 18.6°C (optimal range: 7–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Sydney), not a live sensor.

What this month normally looks like

In October the Warm Temperate zone normally runs 24°C by day and 13°C overnight, with about 66 mm of rain over 7 or 8 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -1.5°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 153 postcodes, SILO.

How to Grow Chinese Cabbage (Wombok) in Warm Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Sow in autumn for the most reliable heads, or in late winter for a spring crop. Summer sowings bolt in the heat.

Soil
Rich, moisture-retentive soil with plenty of compost and aged manure. Needs good drainage but consistent moisture.
pH Range
6.0-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun in cool weather. Part shade (afternoon) in warm zones to prevent bolting.
Spacing
35cm apart, 45cm between rows
Watering
Consistent moisture critical. Water deeply 2-3 times per week. Mulch to retain moisture. Irregular watering or drought stress triggers bolting. Drip irrigation preferred.

Companion plants: Celery, Onion, Garlic, Dill, Chamomile

Avoid planting near: Other brassicas (disease transfer), Strawberry, Tomato

Grow before, grow after

Chinese Cabbage belongs with the brassicas, the leafy greens and brassicas turn of a four turn bed rotation.

Grow before it
Legumes (Beans - Dwarf, Peas, Broad Beans)
Grow after it
Fruiting crops (Tomato, Capsicum, Zucchini)

Give the bed 3 turns before brassicas go back in. The cabbage family is hungry for nitrogen and shares club root and other soil diseases.

Warm Temperate Growing Tips for Chinese Cabbage (Wombok)

Recommended Varieties

  • Michihilli
  • Wong Bok
  • Kasumi

Key Challenges

  • Spring plantings bolt as days lengthen
  • Cold snaps can damage young plants in early autumn

Pro Tips

  • Autumn sowing is far more reliable than spring for wombok
  • Start in February for harvest before winter cold slows growth
  • Use fleece if unexpected frost threatens young plants

Harvesting Chinese Cabbage (Wombok)

When ready: Head is firm and solid when gently squeezed. Typically barrel-shaped, 25-35cm tall. Outer leaves may begin to flare. Head has a dense, compact feel.

How to harvest: Cut at base with sharp knife. Can harvest entire head or remove outer leaves progressively for loose-leaf use. Harvest in cool of morning.

Where to next

What chinese cabbage costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the warm temperate zone this October: Lemongrass, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Cucumber.

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Common Questions About Chinese Cabbage (Wombok)

When do you plant chinese cabbage in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does chinese cabbage grow all year round in Sydney?

No. In the Warm Temperate zone the planting months are Feb to May, Jul to Sep. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

What else is chinese cabbage called?

Chinese cabbage is the usual Australian name. Overseas seed packets and recipes call it wombok, napa cabbage. Same plant, same growing advice.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Warm Temperate zone, Sydney is its reference city.