How to Grow Kohlrabi in Pots and Plastic Bottles: Your Ultimate Guide to Space-Saving Veggie Gardening

Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) is the quirky cousin of cabbage and broccoli—a cool-season brassica that swells into a bulbous, spaceship-like stem above the soil. Crisp and mildly sweet like a cross between broccoli stems and turnips, it’s loaded with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants for a nutrient-packed crunch. Harvest young for tender bites in salads, slaws, or roasts—perfect for beginners in How to Grow Kohlrabi in Pots and Plastic Bottles. Fast-growing (50-60 days) and space-savvy, it’s your ticket to fresh, fun homegrown eats!

Hey there, fellow green thumbs! If you’re dreaming of fresh, homegrown veggies but lack a sprawling backyard, I’ve got exciting news: kohlrabi is your new best friend in the world of container gardening. This quirky brassica—think of it as a funky alien spaceship made of crisp, cabbage-like goodness—is not only nutritious (packed with vitamin C and fiber) but also surprisingly easy to grow in small spaces. Whether you’re an urban apartment dweller or just love upcycling, learning how to grow kohlrabi in pots and plastic bottles can turn your balcony or windowsill into a mini farm.

In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll dive into everything from seed selection to harvest, with tips tailored for both classic pots and eco-friendly recycled bottles. Ready to sprout some success? Let’s dig in!

Also follow How to Grow Arugula at Home: A Simple Guide for Fresh, Peppery Greens

Why Grow Kohlrabi in Containers? The Perks of Pot and Bottle Gardening

Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) is a cool-season crop that thrives in compact setups, making it perfect for container gardening kohlrabi. Its bulbous stem swells above the soil like a turnip on steroids, and you can harvest it in just 50-60 days—faster than many root veggies.

Opting for pots or plastic bottles isn’t just practical; it’s sustainable. Pots offer control over soil and drainage, while repurposed bottles reduce waste and add a fun DIY vibe. Plus, kohlrabi’s compact roots mean it won’t outgrow your setup quickly. Imagine snacking on raw slices dipped in hummus or roasting them with herbs—all from your recycled bounty!

What You’ll Need: Essential Supplies for Kohlrabi Success

Before we get our hands dirty, gather these basics. They’re affordable and easy to source from garden centers or your recycling bin.

Seeds or Seedlings: Choose quick-maturing varieties like ‘Kolibri’ (purple, sweet) or ‘Early White Vienna’ for milder flavor. Aim for disease-resistant hybrids if you’re new to growing kohlrabi in pots.
Containers:
- Pots: 6-8 inch diameter terracotta or plastic pots with drainage holes (one plant per pot).
- Plastic Bottles: Clean 2-liter soda bottles, cut lengthwise for a boat-like planter or upside-down for hanging (more on this below).
Soil: Well-draining potting mix enriched with compost. Kohlrabi loves slightly acidic soil (pH 6.5-7.5).
Tools: Trowel, watering can, fertilizer (balanced 10-10-10), and mulch like straw.
Location: A sunny spot with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Kohlrabi bolts (goes to seed) in heat, so partial shade in summer is key.

Pro tip: For kohlrabi in plastic bottles, ensure good airflow to prevent rot—drill extra holes if needed.

Step-by-Step: How to grow Kohlrabi in Pots and plastic bottles

Planting kohlrabi is straightforward, like starting a tiny veggie empire. Follow these steps for pots, and we’ll tweak for bottles next.

1. Start Seeds Indoors (Optional but Recommended)

Sow seeds 4-6 weeks before your last frost (check your local zone—kohlrabi digs cool weather, 45-75°F). Fill seed trays with moist potting mix, plant seeds ¼ inch deep, and keep them at 65-70°F. Thin seedlings to the strongest once they sprout two true leaves.

2. Prepare Your Pot

Fill a 6-8 inch pot with potting mix, leaving 1 inch from the top. Mix in a handful of compost for nutrients—kohlrabi is a heavy feeder.

3. Transplant or Direct Sow

Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoors. Dig a hole twice the root ball’s width, plant so the crown sits just below soil level, and space plants 4-6 inches apart if using a larger container. Water gently to settle the soil.

4. Water and Mulch

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for 1 inch of water weekly. Top with mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

In 8-10 weeks, you’ll see those glorious bulbs forming. Harvest when they’re golf-ball to tennis-ball sized for the best crunch.

DIY Twist: Growing Kohlrabi in Recycled Plastic Bottles

Who says gardening can’t be zero-waste? Growing kohlrabi in plastic bottles is a genius hack for small spaces, and it’s kid-friendly too. Here’s how to turn trash into a thriving kohlrabi habitat.

1. Prep Your Bottle Planter

Grab a clean 2-liter bottle. For a horizontal setup:

Cut the bottle in half lengthwise with scissors (adult supervision alert!).
Poke drainage holes in the bottom half.
Flip the top half upside down inside the bottom as a funnel for easy watering.

For a vertical hanging version:

Cut off the bottom third, invert it, and thread twine through the neck for hanging. This works great for balconies!

2. Soil and Planting

Fill with the same potting mix as pots. Since bottles are shallower, plant one seedling per bottle. Sow seeds directly if space is tight—¼ inch deep, as before.

3. Care Adjustments for Bottles

Bottles dry out faster than pots, so check soil daily (stick your finger in—if it’s dry an inch down, water). They’re portable, so chase the sun by moving them around. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a diluted liquid feed to boost bulb growth.

Bonus: Bottles warm up quicker in spring, giving your kohlrabi a head start. Just watch for overheating in summer—shade cloth can help.

Kohlrabi Care Tips: Nurturing Your Crop to Harvest

Once planted, kohlrabi is low-maintenance, but a little TLC goes a long way in kohlrabi pot gardening.

Sun and Temperature: Full sun in cooler months; protect from scorching heat above 80°F.
Watering: Consistent moisture prevents woody bulbs. Drip irrigation or self-watering pots are game-changers for busy folks.
Fertilizing: Side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer (like fish emulsion) at 3-4 weeks. Switch to phosphorus for root development later.
Pest Patrol: Watch for cabbage worms—handpick or use row covers. Aphids? A soapy water spray does the trick.
Thinning and Pruning: Thin crowded seedlings early. Snap off yellowing leaves to focus energy on the bulb.

Common hiccup? Bolting from heat stress. If it happens, salvage the tender leaves for salads and replant in fall.

Harvesting and Beyond: Enjoying Your Homegrown Kohlrabi

Your patience pays off around day 55—gently twist or cut bulbs at soil level, leaving roots for compost. Leaves are edible too; steam them like kale. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

After harvest, refresh soil with compost and replant for a second crop—kohlrabi loves succession planting. Feeling adventurous? Try interplanting with lettuce for a mixed container salad bar.

Wrapping It Up: Start Your Kohlrabi Container Adventure Today!

There you have it—a foolproof blueprint for how to grow kohlrabi in pots and plastic bottles. This underrated veggie proves that big flavors come in small packages, perfect for sustainable, space-smart gardening. Whether you’re battling apartment blues or just want to green up your routine, kohlrabi delivers crunch, color, and zero judgment if your thumb’s not quite green yet.