Natural: Full sun.
Artificial: Grows well under fluorescent or LED lamps. Needs at least 8 hours of light per day; however, more is recommended.
 Growing Media
Soil: Prefers a rich, loamy soil with high levels of organic matter and low salinity. A pH between 6.5 and 7.0 will keep plants healthy and nourished.
Soilless: Most soilless mixes will provide adequate nutrients and drainage for cauliflower starts.
Hydroponics: Thrives in media-based hydroponic systems. In one study, plants grown on pozzolana were shown to have the highest yield, with perlite and gravel media coming in second.
Aeroponics: Thrives in aeroponic systems, but will require a significant amount of space.
 Care
Water: Requires moderate to high levels of water. Aim for 1 to 1.5″ per week, watering directly onto the roots below the plant. Watering from above can result in moisture collecting in the upward facing, cup-like leaves.
Nutrients: A heavy feeder, cauliflower will grow best if the soil is prepared with 2 to 3″ of organic compost before planting. After seedlings start to grow heads, work another couple inches of organic compost into the soil. Continue to work compost into the soil every few weeks following the appearance of heads until harvest.
Foliar: As cauliflower is susceptible to boron deficiencies, using a foliar spray of compost tea throughout the duration of the plant’s life cycle can help keep them healthy.
Mulching: Use mulch to help conserve soil moisture, particularly for younger plants.
 Troubleshooting