How to Grow Brussels Sprouts Jade Cross

Brussels Sprouts Jade Cross

Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera 'Jade Cross'

vegetable

Jade Cross is a hybrid Brussels sprout cultivar known for its uniform, deep green sprouts and excellent cold tolerance. This F1 hybrid produces compact plants with medium-sized sprouts (1-1.5 inches) that are tender and flavorful. It's a reliable, disease-resistant variety popular with home and commercial growers.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum

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Water: Consistent moisture with 1-1.5 inches per week; water deeply at soil level to avoid wetting foliage; avoid drought stress as it encourages loose sprouts

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Spacing: 18 inches

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Days to maturity: 90-100 days from transplant

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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches for seeds; transplants at same depth as in cell

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar) Lime if soil pH is below 6.0 Boron (for brassicas, in deficient soils)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-9; prefers cooler climates and is best harvested after frost

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

Growth Stages

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Small cotyledons emerge; first true leaves appear within 7-10 days with characteristic brassica shape

Keep soil moist but not waterlogged; provide bright light to prevent leggy growth; maintain temperatures around 60-65°F; thin to one plant per cell at 2-3 true leaves

Transplant/Establishment

3-4 weeks

Plants develop 4-6 true leaves; roots establish in larger containers or garden soil; begin hardening off 1-2 weeks before transplanting outdoors

Avoid nitrogen excess which delays sprout formation; keep soil consistently moist; protect from wind; transplant when 4-6 inches tall with 2-3 true leaves

Vegetative Growth

6-8 weeks

Tall, leafy plants develop with a central stalk; leaves are large and blue-green; no visible sprout formation yet

Maintain consistent watering and fertilization; remove lower yellowing leaves; watch for pests and diseases; provide support if needed in windy locations; this stage is longest

Sprout Formation & Development

4-6 weeks

Small green nodules (sprouts) form along the stalk, starting at the base; they gradually increase in size and density

Stop heavy nitrogen feeding; reduce water slightly to concentrate flavor; cool temperatures accelerate sprout development; mulch to keep soil cool and conserve moisture; remove lower leaves to improve air circulation

Harvest Ready

Begins around day 85-90, extends over 3-4 weeks

Sprouts reach 1-1.5 inches diameter, firm and deep green; leaves at top remain healthy

Harvest from bottom to top as sprouts mature; leave top rosette of leaves for continued plant vigor; quality improves after light frost; store harvested sprouts in cool conditions

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Dill Chamomile Thyme Sage Beets Onions Garlic Potatoes Celery Nasturtiums Marigolds

Avoid planting near:

Other brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) - pest and disease concentration Strawberries Tomatoes Fennel Mustard Radishes (when grown as a trap crop)

Common Pests

Row covers on young plants; Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); hand-picking; spinosad spray
Bt spray; neem oil; spinosad; encourage parasitic wasps with flowering plants
Hand-pick and destroy egg clusters; row covers; pyrethrin spray; kaolin clay
Row covers on seedlings; diatomaceous earth; neem oil; kaolin clay
Reflective mulch; yellow sticky traps; neem oil; insecticidal soap
Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage beneficial insects

Uses

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Roasted Vegetables

Culinary

Brussels sprout halves roasted with oil and seasoning become crispy and caramelized, bringing out natural sweetness. They're also excellent steamed, boiled, or shredded raw into slaws. [source]

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Cold-Hardy Harvest

Culinary

Jade Cross sprouts taste sweeter after frost exposure due to conversion of starches to sugars, making late-season harvests particularly flavorful for holiday meals. [source]

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Nutritional Powerhouse

Medicinal

Brussels sprouts are rich in vitamin C, K, fiber, and glucosinolates—compounds with potential cancer-fighting properties. They support immune function and digestive health. [source]

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Long Storage

Household

Fresh harvested Jade Cross sprouts store for 3-4 weeks in a refrigerator's crisper drawer, making them ideal for meal planning and extended availability. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

If a few plants are allowed to bolt and flower in spring, their yellow brassica flowers attract beneficial insects like bees and hoverflies that support the garden ecosystem. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Begin harvesting when sprouts are 1-1.5 inches in diameter and firm; harvest from bottom upward as sprouts mature, typically 3-4 weeks after the first sprout reaches harvest size; leave the top rosette of leaves intact to allow upper sprouts to continue developing; flavor improves significantly after the first frost; sprouts can be harvested over 4-6 weeks; cut with a sharp knife to avoid damaging the stalk; morning harvest after dew dries provides best quality

Fun Facts

🌱 Jade Cross is an F1 hybrid released in 1957 by Sakata Seed Corporation in Japan, and it remains one of the most popular home garden varieties nearly 70 years later due to its reliability and disease resistance.
🌱 Brussels sprouts are tiny cabbages that form in the leaf axils along a central stalk—a single plant can produce 50-100+ sprouts over the season, making it one of the most productive cool-season vegetables.
🌱 The name 'Brussels sprouts' comes from Brussels, Belgium, where the vegetable was cultivated and popularized in the 16th century, though it has become a staple in cooler climates worldwide.

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