Kohl rabi Brassica oleracea (Gongylodes Group)
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BRAS-ih-ka ol-ur-RAY-see-uh
- Description
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The Gongylodes Group is commonly called kohlrabi. The genus name Brassica is Latin for cabbage. It is a low, stout cultivar of cabbage. The plants will bear white, green or purple, turnip-like edible swollen stems. For the best crop, it should be grown in the cooler temperatures of spring and fall. Plants will not produce well when daytime temperatures remain above 80 degrees.
Having a shallow root system, this plant can benefit from mulch being applied. Mulching will also assist in keeping weeds at bay.
Kohlrabi is best harvested when the fat, rounded vegetable is 2-3" across. Harvesting at that time will produce the most tender and sweet vegetable. If harvested when the plant is larger in size, it will tend to become tough. As well as boiling, steaming or baking, its leafy tops can also be harvested and eaten raw in salads or slaws.
Although not common, red varieties are also available.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Possible disease problems with kohlrabi are downy mildew and bacterial rot. Insects affecting the plants include aphids, cabbage loopers, cutworms, flea beetles and cabbage worms.
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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Brassica
- Species:
- oleracea
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe and Asia
- Edibility:
- Edible vegetable.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Cool Season Vegetable
- Edible
- Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Fruit Type:
- Siliqua
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- A crisp, juicy bulb-like vegetable that is edible. The fruits dry and split when ripe.
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Flowers:
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Rarely flowers.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are edible.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems (leaves) are edible.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Problems:
- Problem for Horses