Red Cabbage Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group)

The Capitata Group of Brassica oleracea is cabbages. The genus name Brassica is Latin for cabbage.  This group has hearty leaf plants and grows best at cooler temperatures, typically around 60 degrees.  Temperatures higher than 75 degrees can induce bolting, when your plants grow too quickly, then stop flowering and set seeds.  The best growing conditions include full sun, shade can slow the growing process.

There are three types of cabbages.  Common cabbage has dark green leaves.  Dutch cabbage has a larger heart and leaves and a milder flavor and is pale green or even white. Red cabbage has purplish colored leaves.  They are in flower from May to August and ready for harvest from July to September.

A head of cabbage can weigh between 1 to 9 lbs.

A versatile plant, it can be pickled, fermented, steamed, stewed, braised, sauteed, or eaten raw.  The shredded leaves can be used in salads.  Dutch cabbage is the more tender and sweeter variety, most suitable for eating raw.  Red cabbage is used for pickling.

They have a large terminal bud that is edible.  Savoy cabbage has puckered leaves that can be shredded to make coleslaw.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Slugs can be a problem as well as cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, caterpillars, cutworms, slugs, and nematodes.  and cabbage aphids.  Leaf spot, blackleg, black rot, and yellows can be an issue.  Some may be affected by root maggots.

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 offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Brassica oleracea.