Brassica oleracea
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BRAS-ih-ka ol-lur-RAY-see-uh
- Description
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Brassica oleracea is the wild ancestor of many common vegetable crops including kale, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, and kohlrabi. The uncultivated form, which is called Wild Cabbage, is edible as well. The genus name Brassica is Latin for cabbage, while oleracea means vegetable/herb. In its native habitat, it can be found growing along coastlines on rocky sea cliffs.
It can grow in a wide range of conditions, however will perform at its best when located in full sun with in nitrogen-rich, alkaline soil with good drainage. After flowering, cut out the flowering stems when the flowers show signs of forming seed pods. That will conserve the plants energy or resources for additional leafing up.
The foliage of Brassica oleracea is fleshier and thicker than other Brassica species. That gives it an edge in difficult growing conditions, allowing the foliage to store water and nutrients. It forms a loose head of large green or blue-green leaves with wavy edges that are edible. They can be boiled or steamed until tender. They can also be added to soups and stews.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Enlargement of the thyroid gland can occur if consumed in large quantities. In locations where full sun is not provided, downy mildew can form. Good drainage is necessary.
Some pests effecting this plant include slugs, snails, aphids, white caterpillar.
When being cooked, an unpleasant odor is produced.
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:
- Acephala Group, Alboglabra Group, Botrytis Group, Capitata Group, Gemmifera Group, Gongylodes Group, Italica Group, Tronchuda Group
- Tags:







- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Acephala Group, Alboglabra Group, Botrytis Group, Capitata Group, Gemmifera Group, Gongylodes Group, Italica Group, Tronchuda Group
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Brassica
- Species:
- oleracea
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- W. Europe
- Distribution:
- Cultivars grown worldwide
- Wildlife Value:
- It serves as a host plant for butterflies, moths, flies, sawflies and beetles.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Edibility:
- The foliage is edible.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herb
- Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Siliqua
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits dry and split when ripe.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers each have four petals and six stamens, the two outer ones being shorter than the four inner). The appear on stems each having 20-40 flowers.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Rosulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves differ in size, shape, and color depending on the cultivar. The lower leaves are stalked and fairly large with wavy margins. All, including the wild type, are thick and fleshy with a glaucous coating. Leaf stems alternate in a circle.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
- Stem Description:
- The stem is smooth and somewhat woody.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Meadow
- Patio
- Pond
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators