How to Grow Piccolo Purple
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Piccolo Purple
Brassica oleracea var. italica
vegetablePiccolo Purple is a compact Italian heirloom broccoli variety that produces abundant small, tender purple florets on miniature plants. It's perfect for container gardening and small spaces while offering excellent flavor and nutrition. The plants remain productive through multiple harvests of side shoots after the main head is cut.
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Example Piccolo Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Piccolo Purple
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 Piccolo Purple
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Piccolo Purple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-8; grows well in zones 3-9 with proper timing
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Get my Piccolo Purple timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with 2-4 true leaves emerge. Plants are delicate and bright green.
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Begin light misting of balanced fertilizer at 4-true-leaf stage.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksCompact plants develop 6-10 true leaves with deep green coloring. Plant remains bushy and miniature compared to standard broccoli.
Maintain consistent moisture and full sun. Fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced or slightly nitrogen-heavy fertilizer. Thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct seeded.
Head Formation
2-3 weeksSmall purple flower buds begin clustering at the center and leaf axils. Main central head forms while side shoots emerge along the stem.
Increase nitrogen fertilization. Ensure consistent watering to prevent splitting. Begin harvesting outer side shoots if needed for space.
Main Head Maturity
1-2 weeksCentral head reaches 2-4 inches in diameter with tight, deep purple florets. Head is dense and compact, ready for harvest.
Monitor for pest damage. Cut main head when buds are tight before flowering. Do not over-mature as flowers will open and quality declines.
Side Shoot Production
4-8 weeksAfter main head harvest, numerous side shoots emerge along the stem, each developing small 1-3 inch purple heads over several weeks.
Continue regular fertilizing and watering. Harvest side shoots when 2-3 inches long. This stage extends harvest season by 4-8 weeks.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers until flowering. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray. Hand-pick visible worms. Encourage parasitic wasps.
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Strong water spray to dislodge. Insecticidal soap spray. Neem oil. Encourage ladybugs and lacewings.
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Use row covers on young plants. Diatomaceous earth on foliage. Spinosad spray. Remove debris where beetles overwinter.
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Bt spray. Spinosad. Hand-pick caterpillars. Plant trap crops like mustard nearby.
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Yellow sticky traps. Neem oil spray. Insecticidal soap. Reflective mulch. Vacuum adults in severe cases.
Uses
Raw and Cooked Preparation
CulinaryPiccolo Purple florets are tender enough to eat raw in salads or as crudités with dips. They excel in stir-fries, steamed preparations, and pasta dishes where the sweet, mild flavor and tender texture shine. The small size makes them ideal for single servings and presentation. [source]
Glucosinolate Content
MedicinalLike all broccoli, Piccolo Purple contains glucosinolates that convert to sulforaphane when chopped or chewed. This compound has been studied for cancer-preventive and anti-inflammatory properties. [source]
Container and Small-Space Gardening
HouseholdThe compact, miniature growth habit makes Piccolo Purple perfect for container gardening, small patios, balconies, and apartment-dwelling gardeners. Multiple plants fit easily in 5-gallon pots or small raised beds. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeIf allowed to flower, the purple broccoli flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Leaving a few side shoots to flower provides excellent nectar and pollen sources. [source]
Flavor Profile
CulinaryPiccolo Purple offers a sweeter, more delicate broccoli flavor than standard varieties, with less of the sulfurous notes when cooked. The small florets cook quickly and evenly. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut the main central head with a sharp knife when it reaches 2-4 inches in diameter and florets are tight and deep purple—before any flowers begin to open. This typically occurs 50-70 days from transplant. After harvesting the main head, continue harvesting side shoots every 3-5 days when they reach 2-3 inches long for 4-8 weeks of continued production. Harvest in early morning for best tenderness and flavor. Do not allow heads to bolt and flower, as quality declines significantly.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Piccolo Purple is an Italian heirloom variety originally bred in Italy, reflecting centuries of European brassica cultivation and selection for flavor and tenderness.
- 🌱 The name 'Piccolo' means 'small' in Italian, referencing both the compact plant size and the miniature florets that remain tender and sweet even when mature.
- 🌱 Unlike standard broccoli that produces one large head and minimal side shoots, Piccolo Purple's architecture is designed for continuous harvesting—the more you pick side shoots, the more the plant produces, often yielding 2-3 times the total harvest of conventional varieties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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