Can I grow kohlrabi in containers?
Written by
Julia Anderson
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.With careful planning, kohlrabi can be successful in pots. Last summer, I grew 12 bulbs on my balcony garden in 15-gallon fabric pots. "Compact" varieties like Grand Duke only need 12 inches of soil depth. Make sure to avoid glazed ceramic pots. Glazed pots retain too much moisture. For root health and moisture drainage, plastic or fabric containers would work best.
Pot Specifications
- Minimum depth: 12 inches (30 cm)
- Drainage holes: 5+ per container
- Material: Breathable fabric prevents rot
Soil & Feeding
- Mix: 60% potting soil, 30% compost
- Fertilize weekly with fish emulsion
- Top-dress with worm castings monthly
Rotate pots every 180° each day to ensure even sun exposure. I kept my pots on a south-facing veranda, but I had to turn them in the morning so that they didn't grow lopsided. I always put saucers with pebbles under the pots for drainage, as kohlrabi roots can't stand sitting in water. Self-watering containers perform well while you are away, but you need to keep an eye on the moisture in the soil.
Yellowing Leaves
- Cause: Overwatering or nitrogen lack
- Fix: Let soil dry 1 inch deep
- Apply blood meal if severe
Stunted Bulbs
- Cause: Insufficient pot size
- Fix: Upgrade to 15-gallon containers
- Add perlite for root growth
Pick kohlrabi harvest containers when the bulbs are 2 to 3 inches in size. Gently twist to avoid damaging the roots. Replant with fresh soil immediately. I generally succession-plant about every 14 days for a continuous yield. Store the pots in garages during the winter. In the spring, replant the kohlrabi from previous cool-weather crops to collect seeds for growing biennially.
Read the full article: How to Grow Kohlrabi: Complete Beginner's Guide
