Brassica oleracea

Brassica oleracea — the astonishing single species behind cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and kohlrabi, all bred from wild cabbage. The botanical home of our cabbage family range.

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  • €4,95

    Cauliflower variety with distinctive Sicilian violet curds Cauliflower seeds ‘Sicily Violetto’ are an early, regional type known for a striking violet to violet-pink curd and an attractive, vigorous plant habit. This violetto cauliflower variety develops...

  • Romanesco Cauliflower Precoce Early seeds (Brassica oleracea) – vegetable Romanesco Cauliflower Precoce Early (Brassica oleracea) – vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Early Romanesco cauliflower with striking green spirals romanesco cauliflower seeds are a distinctive cool-season brassica choice, valued for their eye-catching, geometric heads made up of tight, spiralled, pyramid-shaped florets. This early romanesco cauliflower variety forms...

  • Black Palm Kale Nero Di Toscana seeds (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable Black Palm Kale Nero Di Toscana (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Classic Tuscan kale with elegant dark leaves black palm kale seeds produce the well-known Nero di Toscana type, a heritage kale variety valued for its narrow, deeply textured leaves and upright, palm-like habit. This is...

  • €4,95

    Summer Purple broccoli for vibrant garden harvests purple sprouting broccoli seeds are a distinctive choice for gardeners looking for a purple sprouting broccoli variety selected for summer production. This annual brassica vegetable seeds option develops...

  • €6,95

    Organic Belstar F1 broccoli for compact heads broccoli belstar f1 seeds are an organic vegetable choice for gardeners who want a reliable, early maturing broccoli variety for seasonal harvests. Belstar F1 is known for forming...

  • Curly Kale Borecole seeds (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable Curly Kale Borecole (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,56€4,45

    Curly kale for crisp, finely curled leaves curly kale seeds are a classic choice for gardeners who want a dependable borecole seed variety with a medium-tall plant habit and tight, decorative foliage. This green curly...

  • Broccoli Summer Purple seeds (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable Broccoli Summer Purple (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Distinctive purple summer broccoli for garden beds broccoli summer purple seeds are an annual vegetable choice bred for reliable summer production and a notably purple appearance. This summer broccoli variety is valued for its extended...

  • €6,95

    Flower sprouts seeds for colourful garden harvests flower sprouts seeds are a distinctive brassica choice for the vegetable garden, producing small, decorative sprouts along tall stems. This Garden Mix F1 selection is known for a...

  • Green Cauliflower Cavolfiore Verde Di Macerata seeds (Brassica oleracea) – vegetable Green Cauliflower Cavolfiore Verde Di Macerata (Brassica oleracea) – vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Green cauliflower variety with distinctive color green cauliflower seeds produce an eye-catching cauliflower valued primarily for its rich green curd and classic cauliflower form. This Italian green cauliflower variety is known as Cavolfiore Verde di...

  • Brussels Sprouts Groninger Winter Harvest seeds (Brassica oleracea) – annual Brussels Sprouts Groninger Winter Harvest (Brassica oleracea) – annual seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,56€4,45

    Groninger Brussels sprouts for sturdy garden crops brussels sprouts seeds ‘Groninger’ are a classic vegetable choice for gardeners who want a reliable, traditional sprout type for the kitchen garden. This Groninger Brussels sprout variety is...

  • Cauliflower Autumn Giant 2 Large Heads seeds (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable Cauliflower Autumn Giant 2 Large Heads (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Autumn Giant 2 cauliflower for open ground Cauliflower seeds ‘Autumn Giant 2’ are a classic autumn cauliflower variety selected for reliable performance in the open garden. This annual brassica vegetable develops large plants with abundant...

  • €4,95

    Alpha 7 cauliflower for summer garden beds Cauliflower seeds ‘Alpha 7’ are an annual brassica option for vegetable plots where you want a dependable summer cauliflower variety with a neat, uniform look. This selection is...

  • Broccoli Calabrese Natalino seeds (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable Broccoli Calabrese Natalino (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Broccoli variety for sunny kitchen gardens broccoli calabrese natalino seeds are an annual vegetable choice for gardeners who want a dependable green sprouting broccoli variety with attractive, well-colored heads. This Calabrese type is grown as...

  • €4,45

    Brussels sprouts variety for light garden soils brussels sprouts seeds ‘Roodnerf’ are a popular sprout cabbage choice for vegetable gardens, valued for their vigorous growth and reliable production. This roodnerf brussels sprout variety is known...

  • €5,95

    Organic sprouting seeds with mild broccoli flavour broccoli sprouting seeds are an easy, space-saving way to enjoy fresh sprouts at home. This organic vegetable seed is selected for sprouting and produces tender, mild-tasting shoots that...

  • €4,95

    Kalibos red pointed cabbage for kitchen gardens Red pointed cabbage seeds ‘Kalibos’ are an annual vegetable choice valued for their distinctive conical heads and deep red colour. This red conical cabbage variety stands out in...

  • Kale Nero Di Toscana seeds (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable Kale Nero Di Toscana (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Italian kale with distinctive dark crinkled leaves Kale nero di toscana seeds produce a classic Italian leaf kale valued for its narrow, elongated foliage and striking, dark green crinkled texture. This annual variety forms an...

  • €6,95

    Winterbor F1 kale for reliable garden harvests kale seeds Winterbor F1 are a popular choice for gardeners looking for a curly leaf kale variety with a neat, bushy habit and richly colored foliage. This annual...

  • Curly Kale Scarlet Purple seeds (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable Curly Kale Scarlet Purple (Brassica oleracea) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Curly kale Scarlet with vivid purple foliage curly kale seeds ‘Scarlet’ are a striking, purple leaf kale variety grown as an annual vegetable for beds and kitchen gardens. As temperatures drop, the foliage can deepen...

  • €4,45

    White cabbage seeds for firm storage heads white cabbage seeds ‘Langedijker Bewaar’ are a classic late storage cabbage variety valued in the vegetable garden for producing firm, well-formed white heads. This annual cabbage is suited...

Brassica oleracea — the cabbage family

Brassica oleracea is one of the most extraordinary species in the vegetable garden: a single plant that, through centuries of selection, gives us cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi and collards. It underpins our cabbage family and leafy brassica ranges, including hardy kale.

History & origin

All of these vegetables descend from wild cabbage, a tough, leafy plant of the limestone sea cliffs of western and southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Over more than two thousand years, growers selected the same species in different directions — for its leaves (kale and cabbage), its flower buds (broccoli and cauliflower), its side buds (Brussels sprouts), its swollen stem (kohlrabi) and its tight terminal bud (the cabbage head). It is one of the most cited examples of just how far selective breeding can transform a single plant.

The name reflects its long kitchen-garden history: Brassica is the classical Latin for cabbage, and oleracea means “of the vegetable garden,” or simply edible.

Botanical characteristics

Most forms are hardy biennials, building up leaf in their first year and flowering in their second, though we harvest nearly all of them in year one. They share blue-green, often waxy leaves and a love of cool weather, firm, fertile, limed soil and steady moisture. The group ranges from cut-and-come-again kales for winter to tightly hearted cabbages and the curds of cauliflower and broccoli. Quicker leafy types feature among our fast-growing vegetables.

Growing Brassica oleracea from seed

Brassicas like a long season and firm, fertile ground. Sow in seedbeds or modules and transplant into well-firmed, limed soil, keeping plants steadily watered. Their main challenge is pests — from caterpillars to flea beetle and pigeons — so netting and a little companion planting pay off. Our vegetable sowing calendar shows the timing and our pest control guide helps keep them clean.

Ready to grow brassicas? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Cabbage Family · Leafy Brassicas · Kale · Fast-Growing Veg · All Vegetables

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brassica oleracea?
A single species that includes cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and kohlrabi.

How can they all be one species?
They were bred from wild cabbage, with growers selecting different parts — leaves, buds or stems — over thousands of years.

Where does it originate?
From wild cabbage on the sea cliffs of western and southern Europe and the Mediterranean.

What does the name mean?
Brassica is Latin for cabbage and oleracea means “of the vegetable garden.”

How do I grow brassicas?
Give them a long season in firm, fertile, limed soil, water steadily, and protect them from pests.