This group of hybrids includes sprouting broccoli, broccolini, romanesco broccoli and cauliflower. They have been hybridized in many parts of the world for many centuries from the original wild cabbage , The plants can grow 1-4 feet tall and wide. They do best in full sun and in any amended garden soil. Broccoli can be started from seed or purchased as plants and planted 4-6 weeks before the first frost or 2-3 weeks after the last frost. They will tolerate some frost which improves the flavor. Cauliflower is more of a challenge and should be planted for a fall crop in NC. Provide adequate nitrogen for best results. Get a soil test before planting and fertilize according to the results. Broccoli and broccolini form a tight head of rounded green unopened flower buds on thick stems resembling a tree and are surrounded by leaves. Broccolini's heads are smaller and looser. Pick broccoli when fully formed and before the flower buds open. Cauliflower grows as a tight white mass without defined flower buds and is surrounded by thick stems and leaves, some of which cover the head to protect it from the sun. These plants have many heirlooms and cultivars available for planting. Plant in the edible garden or mix among the perennials to provide some interest during cooler months. Click here to see a calendar of planting schedules, time-to-harvest, and recommended spacing. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems : Insects that may affect its growth are cabbage worms, slugs, aphids, and caterpillars. Watch out for leaf spot and black rot. See pests of crucifers to the left. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common Cole crop diseases and other plant problems. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Brassica oleracea .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded; Spreading
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf value
Edible
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are green and vary in size according to the species.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Edible
Flower shape
Cross
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
If allowed to bloom they form clusters of 4-petaled yellow flowers.
Fruit type
Siliqua
Fruit detail
The fruits dry and split when ripe.
Stem detail
Thick green stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Western Europe
Wildlife value
Bees will visit the flowers
Attracts
Bees
Play value
Edible fruit
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Flowers; Stems
Fruit type
Siliqua
Edibility
The stem, flower buds and flowers can be eaten
Landscape Use
Landscape theme
Edible Garden
Design feature
Border
Garden tags
#vegetable #cool season vegetable #problem for horses #full sun tolerant #bee friendly #early childhood #annual #child #children #preschool #easy edibles #hortcontest #edible #microgreens
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Aphids Found on Flowers and Foliage; Caterpillars Found on Flowers and Foliage; Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage; Insect and Related Pests of Vegetables; Pests of Crucifers
Disease problems
Weed Management in Broccoli, Cabbage, and Cauliflower