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How to Grow Late Purple Sprouting Broccoli

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Late Purple Sprouting Broccoli

Brassica oleracea var. italica

vegetable

Late Purple Sprouting is a cold-hardy brassica variety that produces abundant small purple flower buds (sprouts) on thick central stems. It thrives in cool seasons and is particularly valued for winter and early spring harvests in temperate climates. This heirloom variety offers excellent flavor and nutritional value, with the ability to produce side shoots throughout the season.

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Example Late Purple Sprouting Broccoli timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Late Purple Sprouting Broccoli

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Late Purple Sprouting Broccoli

    Around Jul 16

    ≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Late Purple Sprouting Broccoli dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates
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Water: Consistent moisture; 1-1.5 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
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Spacing: 24 inches
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Days to maturity: 90-150 days from transplant (varies with season and temperature)
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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches for seeds; transplants at soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost aged manure nitrogen-rich fertilizer lime if pH is below 6.0

Growing Zones

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Zones 3-9; best in cooler regions where it can mature in fall and winter

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

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Small seedlings with 2-4 true leaves developing; cotyledons visible initially

Keep soil consistently moist. Provide 12-16 hours of light daily under grow lights or in bright windowsill. Maintain 60-70°F. Thin or transplant when true leaves appear.

2

Vegetative Growth

6-8 weeks after transplanting

Plant develops robust branching structure with multiple side leaves; stem thickens

Harden off transplants over 7-10 days before planting out. Space 24 inches apart. Apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Monitor for cabbage moths and whiteflies.

3

Budding & Early Formation

4-6 weeks

Central stem elongates; small purple flower buds begin clustering at the terminal end and leaf axils

Provide consistent moisture and nitrogen fertilizer to support bud development. Maintain cool temperatures (50-65°F) for best purple color. Remove any damaged outer leaves.

4

Main Head Development

3-4 weeks

Central head reaches peak size with densely packed purple buds forming a compact floret crown; side shoots emerging along stem

Water deeply 1-2 times weekly. Do not allow soil to dry out. Continue light fertilization. Remove yellowing leaves to improve air circulation.

5

Harvest & Side Shoot Production

6-10 weeks or until frost

Central head ready for harvest; plant continues producing secondary and tertiary side shoots along the stem for extended harvesting

Begin harvesting when buds are tight and purple. Cut main head at 4-6 inches long with 2-3 inches of stem. Side shoots will emerge within 1-2 weeks. Continue harvesting until frost or plant decline.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beets onions garlic lettuce spinach chard chamomile dill thyme borage

Avoid planting near:

Tomatoes peppers eggplants fennel cabbage (same family—disease risk) cauliflower kohlrabi

Common Pests

  • Use fine netting or row covers before moths arrive. Hand-pick caterpillars. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray weekly starting at first sign.

  • Deploy floating row covers on young plants. Spray neem oil or spinosad if infestation is heavy. Dust with diatomaceous earth.

  • Spray strong water stream to dislodge. Use yellow sticky traps. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5-7 days.

  • Hand-pick larvae. Apply Bt spray. Use floating row covers during peak flight periods.

  • Practice crop rotation (4-year minimum before replanting brassicas). Use resistant varieties. Maintain pH above 6.5. Remove infected plants.

  • Spray with water or insecticidal soap. Apply neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs. Use yellow sticky traps.

Uses

🍳

Winter Vegetable & Fresh Cooking

Culinary

Late Purple Sprouting is prized for steaming, roasting, or stir-frying. The tender purple florets and edible stems offer a mild, slightly sweet broccoli flavor. The long harvest window makes it invaluable for winter and early spring menus. [source]

💊

Sulforaphane & Cruciferous Phytonutrients

Medicinal

Like all brassicas, purple sprouting contains sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate compound with potential anti-cancer and detoxification properties. Also rich in vitamin C, fiber, and glucosinolates that support liver health. [source]

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Cold-Hardy Winter Crop

Household

Its exceptional frost tolerance makes it one of the most reliable brassicas for extending the growing season well into winter in temperate zones. Perfect for gardeners seeking year-round fresh vegetables. [source]

🦋

Beneficial Insect Support

Wildlife

If left unharvested, the purple flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, parasitic wasps, and other beneficial insects in late winter and spring when few other flowers are available. [source]

🍳

Historic Heirloom Variety

Culinary

Late Purple Sprouting is a traditional British heirloom variety, part of the sprouting broccoli family that has been grown for centuries. It represents culinary and gardening heritage, prized by vegetable enthusiasts. [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 in late fall or winter when buds are tight and still purple, before they begin to open into yellow flowers. Cut 4-6 inches of head with 2-3 inches of stem attached using a sharp knife. After main head removal, numerous side shoots will develop along the stem; harvest these over the next 6-10 weeks as they reach 2-4 inches in length. Regular harvesting encourages continued production. Flavor improves after light frost, which converts starches to sugars.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Purple Sprouting Broccoli is not a modern hybrid but a traditional British heirloom that predates modern broccoli breeding; it was a staple winter vegetable in UK gardens before modern supermarkets.
  • 🌱 After the main head is harvested, a single plant can produce 15-30+ secondary and tertiary side shoots over several weeks, making it one of the most productive brassicas per plant.
  • 🌱 The purple color deepens and becomes more vibrant after exposure to frost, and flavor actually improves after light freezing as the plant converts starches to sugars as an anti-freeze mechanism.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Crown Full Sun Heirloom Mulch Transplant True Leaves
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