Broccoli is a cole crop the mustard family (Brassicaceae) and is the same species as western cabbage (Brassica oleracea) where it forms the bulk of the italica cultivar group.
The vegetable portion is composed of large flower heads which are most often green in color and branch out in a tree-like structure from a central stalk. The flower heads are surrounded by dark green leaves which are also edible.
Broccoli is closely related to many other veggies in the same species such as kale, cauliflower, collard greens, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccolini, and kohlrabi. Other relatives belong to a related species, Brassica rapa, and include veggies such as turnips, bok choy, and rapini.
The Romans began cultivating this vegetable from other early species of the wild cabbage plant. By the 1700s, it had spread throughout Europe and into Asia and the Americas.
Are you ready to start a broccoli patch of your own? Be sure to check out all of our growing, care, and harvesting guides down below. Happy gardening!
Broccoli is a cool-season crop grown for its crisp stems and tightly packed florets. With many cultivars available, you can choose from compact heading types, long-season hybrids, or sprouting varieties that produce an abundance of side shoots. Learn about 19 of the best broccoli varieties (plus 3 bonus options) now.
Broccoli is a cool weather crop that’s nutritious and delicious. If you want to harvest tender, homegrown broccoli for your soups, quiches, and sides, but don’t have room in your garden, why not try growing it in containers? Planting in pots saves space in your garden and can extend the growing season. Read more now.
If you’re fascinated by Romanesco broccoli, you might be surprised to find that it’s totally doable to grow your own at home. In addition to its mathematically precise yet artistic look, this brassica has a nutty flavor that’s even better when homegrown. Learn how to plant and grow Romanesco in this guide. Read more now.
Broccoli is one of those veggies that offers so much more than we often give it credit for. This staple crop can be harvested for its large heads, as well as its young tender leaves and side shoots. Read more now to learn how to harvest and store broccoli, and pick up some delicious recipe ideas too.
Broccoli isn’t the easiest cruciferous vegetable to cultivate. It needs cool weather and a host of other favorable growing conditions. Sometimes, instead of one large, compact head, multiple small ones called buttons develop. Learn why this happens, and what measures you can take to avoid it, here on Gardener’s Path.
Growing broccoli can be a challenge. Our aim is to produce flavorful, tight heads, but sometimes the result is loose, bitter ones and huge disappointment. Join us to learn the reasons for less than ideal outcomes, and how to avoid them, as we discuss broccoli with loose, bitter heads. Read more now.
If you have a vegetable patch full of fabulous green broccoli foliage, but there’s not a single head in sight, don’t despair. There are various reasons why broccoli fails to form heads, and there’s a lot you can do about it. Read on for our essential tips, and learn all you need to know to grow your best broccoli yet.
Would you like to grow broccoli, but aren’t sure how? Read on for the best instructions for cultivating this nutritious cool weather crop in your garden. See if a spring or fall planting suits your climate and learn the secrets to getting several harvests from one plant. Learn more about broccoli in this guide.
Broccoli is delicious and nutritious, which is no doubt why it’s so popular in home gardens. The trouble is that pathogens seem to love broccoli as much as we do. Whether it’s fungi that will ruin the foliage or bacteria that can wipe your plant out, there are lots of problems to watch for. These are the most common.
Caterpillars, beetles, aphids, and more are all waiting for a chance to chomp on your broccoli plants. While some pests are just a nuisance, others can kill your broccoli before you get a chance to harvest and enjoy it. We’ll help you to identify, manage, and prevent infestation by the most common broccoli pests.
Broccoli is the perfect candidate for saving seed from the home garden, and a healthy specimen can produce hundreds of tiny seeds. Learning how to collect and store seeds from this vegetable garden favorite can help you to save money and more sustainably grow nutritious, productive plants for generations.
Broccoli is a popular veggie around the world, and it’s easy to grow your own. But what should you plant nearby? Knowledge of the best companion plants can help you to repel pests and balance out broccoli’s heavy feeding habits. Plus, find out which plants benefit the most from broccoli’s towering shade. Read more now.
Have you ever wanted to grow broccoli from seed? Now is the time to give it a try! Broccoli is nutritious and delicious, and you can eat more parts of the plant than you might think. In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know about growing a spring or fall crop of this beloved Brassica. Read more now.