Cabbage Worms — Organic Prevention & Treatment

Type

Insect

Severity

High

Peak Season

Spring

Plants Affected

12

How to Identify Cabbage Worms

Green caterpillars (larvae of the white cabbage butterfly) that chew large holes in brassica leaves. They're extremely common and can devastate crops like broccoli, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower if not managed.

🔍 Velvety green caterpillars (up to 1 inch) on leaves

🔍 White butterflies hovering around brassica plants

🔍 Large irregular holes in leaves

🔍 Dark green frass (droppings) on leaves

🔍 Small yellow eggs on leaf undersides

🛡️ Organic Prevention

The best defense is prevention. These organic methods help keep cabbage worms from becoming a problem in the first place.

🌿 Cover crops with lightweight floating row covers immediately after planting

🌿 Plant red/purple varieties of cabbage and kale (harder for worms to hide)

🌿 Interplant with strongly scented herbs like thyme, sage, or rosemary

🌿 Attract parasitic wasps with dill, fennel, and yarrow

🌿 Hand-pick white butterfly eggs (yellow dots on leaf undersides)

💊 Organic Treatment

If cabbage worms are already present, these organic treatments can help get them under control without synthetic chemicals.

🧪 Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray — organic-approved and caterpillar-specific

🧪 Hand-pick caterpillars daily, especially in early morning

🧪 Spray with spinosad (organic insecticide derived from soil bacteria)

🧪 Use row covers to exclude adult butterflies

🧪 Dust leaves lightly with food-grade diatomaceous earth

Plants Affected by Cabbage Worms

Cabbage Worms commonly affects these garden plants. Click any plant for its full growing guide.

Broccoli 55–75 days · Summer Broccoli Raab (Rapini) 40–60 days · Summer Broccolini 50–65 days · Summer Brussels Sprouts 90–120 days · Summer Cabbage 70–110 days · Summer Napa Cabbage 60–80 days · Summer Cauliflower 55–85 days · Summer Collards 55–75 days · Summer Collard Raab 40–55 days · Summer Kale 50–65 days · Summer Kohlrabi 45–60 days · Summer Mustard Greens 30–45 days · Summer

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get rid of Cabbage Worms organically?

Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray — organic-approved and caterpillar-specific Hand-pick caterpillars daily, especially in early morning

What causes Cabbage Worms in the garden?

Green caterpillars (larvae of the white cabbage butterfly) that chew large holes in brassica leaves. They're extremely common and can devastate crops like broccoli, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower if not managed.

How do I prevent Cabbage Worms?

Cover crops with lightweight floating row covers immediately after planting Plant red/purple varieties of cabbage and kale (harder for worms to hide)

What plants do cabbage worms affect?

Cabbage Worms commonly affects Broccoli, Broccoli Raab (Rapini), Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Napa Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, and others.

Is cabbage worms harmful to my garden?

Yes, cabbage worms is a high-severity pest that can cause significant damage to affected plants. Early detection and organic treatment are important.