How to Grow Nine Star Perennial Broccoli

Wikimedia Commons

Nine Star Perennial Broccoli

Brassica oleracea var. italica 'Nine Star Perennial'

vegetable

Nine Star Perennial is a unique, long-lived broccoli variety that produces multiple small heads from a single plant over several years rather than one large head and then dying. This perennial brassica can be harvested repeatedly throughout the growing season and will regrow from the same root system for 4-5 years or longer. It's a cold-hardy, productive choice for gardeners seeking sustainable, multi-year harvests.

When should you plant Nine Star Perennial Broccoli in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Nine Star Perennial Broccoli timeline →

Example Nine Star Perennial Broccoli timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Nine Star Perennial Broccoli
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Nine Star Perennial Broccoli
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Nine Star Perennial Broccoli dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade in hot climates

💧

Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 times weekly, providing 1-1.5 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter dormancy.

📏

Spacing: 24 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 90-120 days for first harvest; continues producing for years thereafter

🌱

Planting depth: 0.5 inches for seeds; transplants at same depth as root ball

Soil

Type: Rich, well-draining loamy soil with high organic matter content

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Bone meal Kelp meal Nitrogen-rich fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-9; extremely cold-hardy and performs best in cooler climates

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

Get my Nine Star Perennial Broccoli timeline →

Growth Stages

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Small plants with 2-4 true leaves, developing their first set of brassica foliage

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light to prevent legginess. Thin seedlings to strongest plants or transplant when 3-4 leaves appear.

Vegetative Growth

8-12 weeks

Plant establishes strong root system and develops large, blue-green leaves; reaches 18-24 inches tall

Feed with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Mulch around base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Protect from cabbage loopers and flea beetles.

First Flowering & Head Formation

4-6 weeks

Central head begins to form at the crown; small side shoots emerge along the stem

Increase nitrogen feeding to support bud development. Ensure consistent watering and mulching. Watch for pest damage on developing heads.

Harvest & Regrowth

Ongoing through growing season (6+ months)

Central head matures to 4-6 inches, and after removal, numerous smaller side shoots develop from axillary buds

Harvest the main head when tightly budded but before flowers open. Continue harvesting side shoots throughout the season as they mature. Deadhead any flowering shoots to redirect energy.

Perennial Dormancy & Overwintering

3-4 months (winter)

Plant goes dormant in late fall/winter; above-ground foliage may die back but roots persist

Mulch heavily (4-6 inches) in cold zones to protect crown from extreme freezing. Reduce watering. In spring, new growth emerges from the established root system.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lettuce Spinach Beets Onions Garlic Dill Chamomile Borage Thyme Carrot

Avoid planting near:

Other brassicas (cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) to prevent pest and disease buildup Strawberries Fennel Mustard greens

Common Pests

Hand-pick caterpillars daily; use row covers on young plants; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) every 7-10 days; encourage parasitic wasps
Use row covers until plants are established; spray neem oil or spinosad on undersides of leaves; dust with food-grade diatomaceous earth
Hand-pick or spray Bt; encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps and spiders; avoid broad-spectrum insecticides
Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; release ladybugs; plant garlic and chives nearby
Rotate crops; maintain pH above 6.5; avoid waterlogged conditions; solarize soil if disease present; remove affected plants

Uses

🍳

Fresh steaming and stir-fry

Culinary

The tender side shoots are ideal for steaming, stir-frying, or roasting whole. They offer a milder, sweeter flavor than standard broccoli and are perfect for quick cooking methods that preserve their vibrant color. [source]

🍳

Raw salads and crudités

Culinary

Smaller, immature side shoots can be eaten raw in salads or as part of a vegetable platter. They have a crisp texture and slightly nutty, tender flavor. [source]

💊

Glucosinolate and cancer-fighting compounds

Medicinal

Like all brassicas, Nine Star Perennial contains glucosinolates that convert to sulforaphane when chewed or cooked, compounds with documented anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. [source]

🏠

Perennial food production for sustainability

Household

This variety reduces annual replanting labor and seed costs while providing consistent harvests over multiple years, making it ideal for permaculture and regenerative gardening systems. [source]

🦋

Pollinator and beneficial insect support

Wildlife

If allowed to flower (after harvesting season ends), Nine Star Perennial provides early spring and fall nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and parasitic wasps that control broccoli pests. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

First main head is ready when 4-6 inches in diameter and buds are tightly closed (typically 90-120 days from transplant). Harvest by cutting the central head at a 45-degree angle, leaving 8-12 inches of stem. Side shoots will then emerge prolifically; harvest these smaller heads (2-3 inches) every 3-5 days as they mature. Continuous harvesting encourages more side shoots. The plant will produce for 4-5 years if properly maintained, with heaviest production in years 2-3. In late fall, the plant naturally goes dormant; avoid harvesting in mid-winter to preserve energy reserves.

Fun Facts

🌱 Nine Star Perennial was developed in England in the 1970s and is sometimes called 'Nine Star Italian' or 'Perpetual Sprouting Broccoli.' Its name refers to the nine small heads it was traditionally expected to produce, though well-managed plants often produce 12-15 or more per season.
🌱 This variety can live 5-7 years or even longer if properly maintained, making it one of the few perennial vegetables available. Some gardeners report the same plant producing for 10+ years in ideal conditions with minimal input.
🌱 Nine Star Perennial is hardier than standard broccoli and can survive temperatures down to -15°F with mulch protection, making it viable for year-round or extended-season growing even in harsh climates. Some overwintering crops produce their sweetest heads after a hard frost.

Gardening Terms

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

Crown Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade Perennial Transplant True Leaves

Shop Nine Star Perennial Broccoli plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Nine Star Perennial Broccoli planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Nine Star Perennial Broccoli seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Nine Star Perennial Broccoli timeline →