Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis) — Temperature Requirements by Growth Stage

Overview

Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis) growth is strongly influenced by temperature. Each stage has optimal ranges, base temperature, stress thresholds, lethal limits, frost limits, and—for flowering—sterility risk thresholds important for production and climate risk management. Japanese stage definitions align with international BBCH scales. Temperature requirements are organized below by stage.

Growth Stage Definitions

1. Seedling stage
2. Rosette stage
3. Folding stage
4. Heading stage
5. Flowering stage

(BBCH: 00–09 germination; 10–19 leaf expansion; 41–49 heading; 51–59 stem elongation; 60–69 flowering[1][2].)

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Temperature Parameter Definitions

• optimal_min / optimal_max: Range for healthy growth at that stage
• base_temperature: Minimum for development / GDD calculation
• low_stress_threshold / high_stress_threshold: Onset of low- or high-temperature stress
• max_temperature: Survival limit or severe growth inhibition
• frost_threshold: Frost injury temperature
• sterility_risk_threshold: Sterility risk during flowering only

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Temperature Summary by Stage

Stage	optimal_min	optimal_max	base_temp	low_stress	high_stress	max_temp	frost_threshold	sterility_risk_threshold	Key sources
Seedling	18°C	20°C	4°C	10–12°C	25°C	32–35°C	0°C	N/A	[3][4][5][6]
Rosette	12°C	18°C	4°C	9–12°C	25°C	30–32°C	~−0.6°C	N/A	[7][8][9][10]
Folding	15°C	20°C	4°C	9–12°C	25°C	30–32°C	~−0.6°C	N/A	[4][7][8][11][12]
Heading	15°C	20°C	4°C	10°C	25°C	30°C	~−0.6°C	N/A	[4][13][14][15]
Flowering	18°C	22°C	4°C	12°C	28°C	32°C	0°C	≥30°C (sterility risk)	[4][16][17][18]

Seedling Stage

• Optimal 18–20°C (20–22°C also good; nights 16–18°C desirable[4]). Base 4°C[4][5][6]. Below 10–12°C, early growth slows[4]. Above 25°C, photosynthesis and growth decline; above 32°C, growth stops or plants die[4][15]. Frost risk below 0°C[4].

Rosette Stage

• Optimal 12–18°C (~15°C mean at peak[4][8][10]). Prolonged 6–8°C can induce vernalization/bolting[8][15][10]. Above 25°C, growth and quality suffer[4][8][12]. Frost ~−0.6°C (31°F)[12].

Folding Stage

• Optimal 15–20°C[4][12][13]. Below 9–12°C: stagnation and internal stem induction[4][12]. Above 25°C: soft rot risk, thin flesh[13][12]. Max ~30–32°C[13][12].

Heading Stage

• Optimal 15–20°C for firm heads[4][13][14]. Below 10°C: slow internal maturation[4][14]. Above 25°C: soft leaves, disease, quality loss[13][14]. Mature plants may briefly tolerate −6 to −7°C[19][12][14].

Flowering Stage

• Optimal 18–22°C for pollen germination[4][16][17]. Below 12°C: poor pollen and fruit set[4][16]. Above 28°C: pollen germination and fertilization drop sharply[17][16]. sterility_risk_threshold ≥30°C[16][17][18].

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Data Gaps and Notes

• base_temperature 4°C is standard in models; stage-precise experimental values are partly unclear[4][13].
• max_temperature and frost_threshold vary by cultivar and practice.
• Flowering sterility around 30–32°C is supported by multiple recent studies[16][17][18].

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Management Perspective

• Bolting risk: 10+ days below 10°C during rosette–heading promotes stem elongation[8][15].
• Heat: Above 25°C, photosynthesis and soft rot increase across stages[11][13].
• Frost: Young stages are most vulnerable; manage near 0°C even with hardy types[12][14].

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Conclusion

Chinese cabbage performs best in cool conditions with clear optimal ranges and stress thresholds per stage. Low temperature, heat, frost, and flowering heat sterility are key weather risks. Use these parameters as benchmarks and adjust for cultivar and local observation.

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Sources

[1] BBCH-scale (leafy vegetables forming heads): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBCH-scale_(leafy_vegetables_forming_heads)
[2] Growth Stages of Mono- and Dicotyledonous Plants (BBCH Monograph): https://www.julius-kuehn.de/media/Veroeffentlichungen/bbch epaper en/page.pdf
[3] Brassica rapa L. subsp. pekinensis (Lour.) Hanelt - CPVO: https://cpvo.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2025-04/brassica-rapa-pekinensis-2.pdf
[4] Chinese cabbage CTT Final - Longpaddock: https://data.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/static/dcap/DCAP3/DCAP 3__6 Chinese Cabbage CTT Final.pdf
[5] Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis | CABI Compendium: https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.1079/cabicompendium.10115
[6] The Effects of Climate Change on Heading Type Chinese Cabbage (PDF): https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/pdf/10.5555/20230046369
[7] 抽苔率および品質に及ぼす不織布べたがけ栽培の影響: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jjshs1/83/2/83_CH-064/_html/-char/ja
[8] Global Transcriptome and Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network ...: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12294169/
[9] Cabbage & Chinese Cabbage - Clemson HGIC: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/cabbage-chinese-cabbage/
[10] Brassica rapa Pekensis Group (Chinese Cabbage) - Gardenia.net: https://www.gardenia.net/plant/brassica-rapa-pekensis-chinese-cabbage
[11] (PDF) Photosynthesis of Chinese cabbage and radish in response ...: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276452865_Photosynthesis_of_Chinese_cabbage_and_radish_in_response_to_rising_leaf_temperature_during_spring
[12] Cabbage (Round & Chinese types): https://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/ar/produce-facts-sheets/cabbage-round-chinese-types
[13] Identification of heat tolerance and screening of ... - ScienceDirect.com: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304423823005502
[14] Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Revealed the Freezing ...: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9086196/
[15] The Effects of Climate Change on Heading Type Chinese Cabbage ...: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/12/3172
[16] Effect of High Temperature on Pollen Grain Germination, Pollen ...: https://journals.ashs.org/downloadpdf/view/journals/hortsci/16/1/article-p67.pdf
[17] Transcriptome Analysis of Chinese Cabbage Provides Insights into ...: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9690211/
[18] Physiological and transcriptome analyses of Chinese cabbage in ...: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095311924001394
[19] Introduction to Some Indigenous Vegetables in Japan: https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/hortsci/47/7/article-p831.xml