Brassica oleracea

Brassica oleracea is a species of plant that belongs in the mustard or cabbage family (Brassicaceae).

Although they may appear like different types of plants, the cruciferous vegetables broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, collard greens, gai lan, and savoy are all cultivars of wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. oleracea).

Wild cabbage is native to the western and southern parts of Europe where it thrives along limestone sea cliffs due to its tolerance of salt and lime, and lack of competition for the same space.

The chalk cliffs along both sides the English Channel in areas such as Kent County (home of the city of Dover) in the UK and Normandy, France are its preferred habitat.

In its wild state, B. oleracea is a biennial plant and has developed several adaptations to help it survive in harsher environments.

A thick rosette of large leaves form in the first year that are fleshier than other Brassica species. These leaves help it store nutrients and water in less than ideal growing locations.

Wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. oleracea) in bloom with yellow flowers on stalks in its second year It uses this stored energy and nutrients to grow a flower spike 3-7 feet tall (1-2 meters) that hosts clusters of yellow flowers.

B. oleracea was domesticated thousands of years ago. The details of its cultivation prior to the Hellenistic period are unclear, and at this time it was already an established food crop with known smooth-leaved, curly-leaved, and a wild varieties available.

Since then, it has been cultivated and bred to produce many different cultivars that vary wildly in appearance, but all have the same four-petaled flowers.

Seven major groups comprise the cultivars of B. oleracea according to their developmental forms:

Acephala group – Collard greens and kale
Alboglabra group – kai-lan (Chinese broccoli)
Botrytis group – Cauliflower and Romanesco broccoli
Capitata group – Cabbage
Gemmifera group – Brussels sprouts
Gongylodes group – Kohlrabi
Italica group – Broccoli

The Acephala (non-heading) group is most like natural wild cabbage in shape and appearance.

The following are the most common cultivated varieties:

Cultivar		Taxonomy
Broccoflower		Brassica oleracea var. botrytis x italica
Broccoli		Brassica oleracea var. italica
Broccoli di Torbole		Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Broccolini		Brassica oleracea var. italica × alboglabra
Brussels sprouts		Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Cabbage		Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba
Cauliflower		Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Collard greens		Brassica oleracea var. viridis
Cone cabbage		Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. acuta
Gai lan (Kai-lan)		Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra
Jersey cabbage		Brassica oleracea var. longata
Kale		Brassica oleracea var. viridis
Kohlrabi		Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes
Lacinato kale		Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia
Marrow-stem kale		Brassica oleracea var. medullosa
Ornamental kale		Brassica oleracea var. acephala
Perpetual kale		Brassica oleracea var. ramosa
Red cabbage		Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra
Romanesco broccoli		Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Savoy Cabbage		Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. sabauda
Tronchuda kale		Brassica oleracea var. costata
Wild cabbage		Brassica oleracea var. oleracea

So if you’re ready to get growing with some of these crunchy crucifers, there are plenty of guides down below:

When and How to Blanch Maturing Cauliflower Heads

Beginners, Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cauliflower, Cruciferous Vegetables, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up of a small developing cauliflower head, the white curds just visible beneath the small inner leaves. The outer leaves are large and flat with white veins and stems, covered in small droplets of water.

Cauliflower is a cool-season crop that can be challenging to cultivate. Did you know that some varieties require your intervention to be able to produce unblemished heads? The technique is called blanching, and it protects the developing heads from sun damage. Learn when and how to do it. Read on for easy instructions.

9 of the Best Cabbage Varieties to Grow at Home

Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cabbage, Cruciferous Vegetables, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up of a Brassica oleracea var. capitata growing in the garden. The central head has dark purple leaves around it fading to light green large leaves with purple veins on the outside.

Whether you enjoy it in sauerkraut, soup, or coleslaw, cabbage is a versatile addition to your vegetable patch. With different colors, textures, and sizes there are lots of varieties to choose from. Learn more about the different types of cabbage and choose the perfect one for your garden. Read more now.

How to Grow and Care for Ornamental Flowering Kale

Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cruciferous Vegetables, Kale, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up of dramatic purple leaves of an ornamental kale plant with delicate frilly leaves. To the left of the frame are some of the light green leaves with purple veins.

Flowering kale is an excellent choice when you want to add vibrant color and texture to cool weather gardens. Read on for easy cultivation and care instructions, a list of varieties to choose from, and recommended companion plantings. Join us as we explore growing ornamental kale and add some color to your garden.

The Best Companion Plants to Grow with Kale

Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cruciferous Vegetables, Kale, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up of a raised garden bed with mature, healthy Tuscan kale growing amongst bright nasturtium flowers, an other leafy vegetable plants in light sunshine.

Planting kale in your vegetable garden? You’ll want to know the best common companion plants for this garden veggie. If so, you have come to the right place. Learn which plants will attract beneficial insects, repel pests, provide ground cover, and act as nitrogen fixers for this garden staple. Read more now.

Will Kale Grow in Containers? Tips for Growing Your Crop in Pots

Containers, Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cruciferous Vegetables, Kale, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up of four terra cotta pots with Tuscan and curly kale growing in the bright sunshine on a balcony. The plants have large leaves in various shades of green, the background is white railings and a house behind.

Kale is a frost hardy annual that’s grown for its nutritious, flavorful leaves in fantastic colors and fanciful shapes. And it’s just as easy to grow in pots or containers as in the ground. Learn how to plant up a few pots for the kitchen garden right now, then enjoy its beauty and health benefits well into winter.

Tips for Protecting Kale from Pests and Disease

Diseases and Pests, Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cruciferous Vegetables, Kale, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A top down picture of a mature curly kale plant growing in the garden, the large outer leaves are a darker green color and the small inner leaves are reddish green. In bright sunshine, the background is further foliage of the same plant.

Despite kale’s tendency to be healthy and vigorous, the plants can be vulnerable to insects, nematodes, bacteria, and fungi under certain circumstances. Read on to learn how to identify and control pests and pathogens on your kale plants.

How to Grow Winter Cabbage for a Late-Season Harvest

Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cabbage, Cruciferous Vegetables, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up of two cabbages growing in a winter garden with frost on the leaves. In the background is frosty earth with some fallen leaves.

If you’re looking to pull a fresh, crisp vegetable from your winter garden, consider winter cabbage. Storage varieties can withstand cold temperatures and frosts without sustaining much damage. Learn about important factors such as planting dates and crop protection for a successful late-season harvest. Read more now.

Can You Eat Kale That Has Turned Yellow?

Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cruciferous Vegetables, Kale, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up of dark green healthy curly kale plants growing in the garden bathed in light sunshine.

Kale comes in several varieties, ranging in color from light green to deep purple. But when the leaves start turning yellow, you may be wondering if they’re safe to eat. To learn more about why your leaves may have changed color and whether you can still eat kale that has turned yellow, read more now.

9 Cauliflower Head Disorders and How to Avoid Them

Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cauliflower, Cruciferous Vegetables, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up of a cauliflower head, well developed and a creamy white color nestled between dark green foliage in bright sunshine.

Cauliflower is a cool weather crop that can be challenging to cultivate. Sometimes growing conditions are less than optimal and the heads don’t form as they should. Join us to learn about 9 common disorders that may cause irregular cauliflower head formation, and measures to avoid them. Read more now.

How to Naturally Kill Insects on Kale: The Best Organic Solutions

Diseases and Pests, Organic Gardening, Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cruciferous Vegetables, Kale, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up of a green Brassica oleracea leaf covered in holes with the edges of the leaf jagged and eaten. There are little black beetles all over it, responsible for the damage. The background is soil in soft focus.

Don’t let your kale get overrun with pests. If you’re growing kale in your vegetable garden there’s a good chance you’ve got some insects damaging your plants. If they get out of control you’ll want to take action. Learn how to identify who’s chomping on your greens and kill these bugs naturally. Read more now.

How to Harvest Cabbage

Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cabbage, Cruciferous Vegetables, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up, top down picture of a cabbage plant with a mature head. There are large, dark green leaves on the outside, and light green tight leaves around the head. The background is soil, in bright sunshine.

Wondering when and how to harvest homegrown cabbage? Get tips from our experts that explain the right time for plucking your spectacular spheres of deliciousness, and discover the best methods of picking them from the garden, how to store them in the kitchen, and fabulous recipe suggestions. Read more now.

11 Reasons Why Your Cauliflower May Not Form Heads

Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cauliflower, Cruciferous Vegetables, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up, top down picture of green cauliflower foliage, the white veins and stems clearly visible against the light green of the leaves.

Cauliflower is a cool-weather crop that is often challenging to grow. Sometimes it yields an abundance of snowy white, purple, green, or even orange heads. Other times, you’re rewarded with mounds of foliage, but there’s not a single head in sight. To discover 11 reasons why this may happen, read more now.

How to Grow Savoy Cabbage

Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cabbage, Cruciferous Vegetables, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up of a developing savoy cabbage head with dark green wrinkly outer leaves and lighter green inner leaves closer to the head, in bright sunlight.

You’ve probably heard of green and red cabbage, but what about savoy? This variety has crinkled green leaves with a sweet flavor. Its deep green color and visually interesting texture make it a beautiful addition to your garden. Crunchy yet tender, this is a fantastic variety for using in slaws. Learn more now.

How to Grow Sweet and Tender Red Russian Kale

Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cruciferous Vegetables, Kale, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

Close up picture of Brassica oleracea leaves growing on the plant. Ranging from light green to pale purple, the flat leaves with jagged edges are pictured in bright sunshine.

If you’re stumped as to what type of kale you should grow in your garden this year, consider Red Russian. This sweet and tender green is aesthetically pleasing, with reddish-purple stems and contrasting green leaves. In the kitchen, it can be used in dishes ranging from raw salads to light sautees. Read more now.

How Nutritious Is Raw Cabbage?

Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cabbage, Cruciferous Vegetables, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A wooden surface with three different Brassica oleracea vegetables on it. From the left, a white one, chopped in half, in the center a red variety with a slice out of it, and to the right a savoy cabbage, whole. The background is wood.

While it may not be as trendy as cauliflower or kale, cabbage is a low calorie vegetable that packs a serious nutritional punch. A member of the Brassica genus, cabbage is rich in several important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Want to find out just how nutritious raw cabbage actually is? Read more now.

How to Harvest and Store Kale Seeds

Annuals, Beginners, Propagation, Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cruciferous Vegetables, Kale, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up of a healthy Brassica Oleracea plant growing, the small tender leaves in the center and larger, curly leaves around the edges, in bright light.

Kale has healthy nutrients, a delicious taste, striking beauty, and is easy to grow – making it a beloved staple in the vegetable garden. Why not increase your enjoyment of this super-veggie with plants grown from your own seed collection? Smart, organic, and economical, here’s how to harvest and store kale seeds.

How Nutritious Is Raw Kale?

Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cruciferous Vegetables, Kale, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up of a white plate with fresh bright green curly kale leaves, pictured on a wooden surface.

Often labeled as a superfood, kale is a trendy leafy green that’s found in everything from salads and grain bowls to smoothies and juices. But how nutritious is raw kale actually, and are there any potential downsides to eating it? Read more about the potential health benefits of eating raw kale now.

What Month Should You Sow Kale?

Vegetables Brassica oleracea, Cruciferous Vegetables, Kale, Mustard & Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae)

A close up of little green kale seedlings, with beads of water on some of the leaves, the background is more of these seedlings, and the dark earth underneath them in soft focus.

If you want to grow kale, an important first step is figuring out when you should sow the seeds. Assessing various factors, including where you live and the time of year, can help you to figure this out. By planting at the right time, you will be rewarded with an abundant harvest of nutritious greens. Read more now.