Cheddar Cauliflower delivers a striking visual and culinary surprise: deep orange heads that stand out dramatically in any garden bed. This hybrid variety matures in 70-79 days, producing uniform, smooth, firm curds that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Hardy across zones 3-10, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and slightly alkaline soil. The roasted heads develop a rich, intensified flavor that transforms this humble brassica into something truly special.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Consistent Moisture
Preferred Temp60-75°F
Growth Stats
—
Height
—
Width
15 in
Spacing
70–79
Days to Harvest
PeriodPerennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-10
Size
?in H x ?in W
Growth
Perennial
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The brilliant orange color deepens when you leave heads untied during growth, creating heads so vibrant they look almost unreal. Roasting brings out the full potential of the flavor, turning what might seem like a novelty variety into a genuine culinary revelation. With a 70-79 day maturation and hybrid vigor, you're looking at reliable harvests and consistent head quality that makes this variety worth dedicating garden space to.
Common Uses
Cheddar Cauliflower shines when roasted, where heat intensifies its natural flavors into something deeper and more complex than standard white or green cauliflower. The firm, smooth heads hold up beautifully to high-temperature cooking, making them excellent for charring or caramelizing in a hot oven. Raw in salads, the orange curds add visual interest and a slightly sweeter profile than traditional varieties.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Not Applicable
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 3-6 inches apart, then relocate seedlings to the garden as soon as they emerge. Plan for seed starting about 4 to 5 weeks before your last spring frost date, allowing seedlings to reach transplant size before moving outdoors.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant hardened seedlings into the garden once they've developed true leaves and the soil has warmed. Space plants 15 inches apart in full sun with soil pH between 6.5-7.5. In warm growing regions, you can also plant in September for a fall harvest.
Harvesting
Harvest Cheddar Cauliflower heads when they reach full size and the curds are still firm and uniform, typically 70-79 days after transplanting. The orange color will be most intense if you've left heads untied during growth, allowing full sun exposure. Cut heads at the base with a sharp knife, leaving some stem attached. In warm regions, fall plantings sown in September can be harvested within 30 days of reaching the right size.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Brassica oleracea L.
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Brassica
Duration
Perennial
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)CAN (W)GL (W)