How to Grow Broccoli di Ciccio
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Broccoli di Ciccio
Brassica oleracea var. italica
vegetableBroccoli di Ciccio is a traditional Italian heirloom broccoli variety known for its sprouting growth habit, producing numerous small to medium heads from a central stem rather than a single large crown. This prolific cultivar has a tender, sweet flavor and is prized in Italian cuisine for its extended harvest season. It thrives in cool-season gardens and continues producing secondary heads long after the main harvest.
When should you plant Broccoli di Ciccio in your zone?
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Example Broccoli di Ciccio timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Broccoli di Ciccio
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Broccoli di Ciccio
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Broccoli di Ciccio dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; best performance in zones 5-8 with cool fall conditions
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Get my Broccoli di Ciccio timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksYoung plants develop true leaves and establish root systems. Seedlings appear delicate with rounded cotyledons followed by serrated brassica leaves.
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light (12-16 hours) if growing indoors. Thin or transplant when 2-3 inches tall. Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions before transplanting.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlants develop multiple large leaves on sturdy stems. Foliage is thick and blue-green. No head formation yet; the plant is building leaf mass.
Ensure consistent watering and adequate nitrogen. Keep soil rich with compost. Remove any yellowing lower leaves. Monitor for pests like cabbage worms and flea beetles.
Primary Head Formation
2-3 weeksA central, dense head forms at the top of the plant, composed of tightly clustered flower buds. The head appears green and compact with a dome-like shape.
Maintain steady watering. Provide balanced fertilizer to support head development. Broccoli di Ciccio typically produces medium-sized central heads rather than one large crown.
Sprouting & Secondary Heads
4-8 weeksAfter the main head is harvested, numerous side shoots emerge along the stem, each producing small secondary heads. This is the hallmark of the Ciccio variety.
Continue regular watering and light fertilizing. Harvest secondary heads when 2-4 inches long to encourage more branching. This stage extends the harvest window significantly.
Decline & End of Season
Ongoing until frost or plant deathPlants become exhausted; secondary head production slows. Leaves may yellow or show stress. The plant is ready to be removed or allowed to bolt to seed.
Pull spent plants. If saving seed, allow a few plants to bolt and flower. Remove from garden to reduce pest and disease pressure for next season.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers in early season. Spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or neem oil. Hand-pick visible caterpillars.
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Use floating row covers. Apply kaolin clay or neem oil. Maintain consistent soil moisture to stress beetles.
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce ladybugs or parasitic wasps.
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Apply Bt spray. Hand-pick larger caterpillars. Encourage beneficial wasps with flowering herbs nearby.
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Ensure well-draining soil with pH above 6.0. Avoid planting brassicas in same location yearly. Remove infected plants entirely.
Uses
Italian Cooking & Pasta
CulinaryBroccoli di Ciccio is essential in Italian cuisine, particularly in southern Italian dishes like pasta alle cime di rapa and vegetable soups. The tender secondary shoots are perfect for sautéing with garlic and olive oil, roasting, or adding to pasta, risotto, and minestrone. [source]
Raw & Cooked Vegetables
CulinaryThe mild, sweet flavor makes it excellent raw in salads or with dips, and the smaller sprouting heads cook quickly and evenly without the hollow cores sometimes found in larger broccoli varieties. Excellent steamed, stir-fried, or roasted. [source]
Glucosinolate & Sulforaphane Content
MedicinalLike all broccoli, Broccoli di Ciccio contains glucosinolates that convert to sulforaphane when cut or chewed, a compound studied for anti-cancer properties and detoxification support. The frequent harvesting of young shoots may preserve more of these beneficial compounds. [source]
Extended Harvest Season
HouseholdThe sprouting nature of this heirloom variety provides a continuous supply of fresh broccoli over 4-8 weeks, reducing the need for repeated plantings and maximizing garden productivity during the cool season. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeIf allowed to bolt and flower, the small yellow flowers attract bees, butterflies, and parasitic wasps. This makes Broccoli di Ciccio a dual-purpose crop that supports garden biodiversity while producing food. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest the central head when it is firm and tightly budded, before buds begin to open or flower, typically 60-90 days after transplanting. Cut the main head with 5-8 inches of stem. Do not pull; use a sharp knife. For the unique sprouting characteristic, leave 12-18 inches of stem and continue harvesting secondary side shoots as they form (each 2-4 inches long) over the next 4-8 weeks. Harvest regularly to encourage more branching. Cool morning temperatures yield the best flavor and texture.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Broccoli di Ciccio is a traditional Southern Italian heirloom, particularly prized in Calabria and Sicily, where it has been grown for generations. 'Ciccio' is a colloquial Italian term suggesting small, round, or chunky characteristics.
- 🌱 Unlike most broccoli bred for a single large head, this sprouting variety can produce 10-20 or more secondary heads from a single plant, effectively multiplying your harvest and extending the season—some gardeners harvest for 2-3 months from one planting.
- 🌱 The plant thrives in fall and early winter gardens in temperate regions, and mild frosts actually improve flavor by converting starches to sugars; many Italian growers specifically time plantings to harvest after the first frost.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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