How to Grow Purple Head
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Purple Head
Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra
vegetablePurple Head is a red or purple variety of cabbage with dense, compact heads and a distinctive deep burgundy color both inside and out. It's a cool-season brassica that's rich in anthocyanins and offers excellent storage potential. This cabbage variety is popular for fresh eating, cooking, pickling, and adding color to salads and slaws.
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Example Purple Head timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Purple Head
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 Purple Head
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple Head dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9; best quality in cooler zones 3-8
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with cotyledons and first true leaves; pale to light green
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light to prevent leggy seedlings. Maintain temperatures around 70°F. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksYoung plants with 4-8 true leaves; starts developing a small rosette of foliage
Harden off transplants before planting outdoors. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Monitor for cabbage moths and flea beetles. Keep consistently watered.
Head Formation
4-6 weeksLeaves begin wrapping tightly inward; dense, compact purple head starts forming from center
Begin side-dressing with nitrogen-rich fertilizer or compost. Ensure consistent watering to prevent cracking. Remove any yellow or diseased outer leaves. Watch for pests intensively during this stage.
Head Maturation
2-3 weeksSolid purple head reaches full size; feels firm and dense when gently squeezed; outer leaves begin to yellow
Reduce nitrogen fertilization. Continue consistent watering. Check regularly for pest damage. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease.
Harvest Ready
Variable based on planting timeHead is firm, fully colored, and at desired size; outer wrapper leaves may show yellowing or slight damage
Harvest when heads feel solid and no longer expand. For storage varieties, wait until after light frost for improved flavor and sweetness.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Row covers, Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), hand-picking larvae, neem oil spray
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Bt spray, row covers, remove by hand, encourage beneficial parasitic wasps
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Row covers on young plants, diatomaceous earth, neem oil, reflective mulches
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Bt spray, hand-picking, row covers, introduce parasitic wasps
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Hand-pick bugs and egg clusters, row covers, reflective mulches, insecticidal soap
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and
Copper tape barriers, beer traps, hand-picking at night, diatomaceous earth
Uses
Fresh Eating & Slaws
CulinaryPurple cabbage is excellent raw in salads and slaws, adding vibrant color and a slightly sweet, mild flavor. Its crisp texture holds up well in salad preparations. [source]
Pickling & Fermentation
CulinaryPurple cabbage ferments beautifully for sauerkraut and kimchi, maintaining its striking color while developing complex, probiotic-rich flavors. [source]
Cooking & Stir-fries
CulinaryWhen cooked, purple cabbage becomes tender and develops a slightly sweet taste. It's excellent in stir-fries, braised dishes, and coleslaw served hot or cold. [source]
Antioxidant-Rich Food
MedicinalPurple cabbage is loaded with anthocyanins and other polyphenols, compounds with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may support overall health. [source]
Natural Food Coloring & pH Indicator
HouseholdPurple cabbage juice can be used as a natural blue-purple food dye and as a pH indicator that changes color in acidic or basic solutions, making it useful for science experiments and natural cooking. [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 when heads feel firm and solid, typically 70-110 days after planting. Cut heads at base with a sharp knife, leaving outer wrapper leaves on. For fall/winter planting, wait until after light frost for sweetest flavor. Purple cabbage stores exceptionally well in cool (32-40°F), humid conditions for 3-6 months. For longer storage, wrap in newspaper and keep in root cellar or refrigerator.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Purple cabbage gets its distinctive color from anthocyanins, the same powerful antioxidant pigments found in blueberries and red wine. The color intensity increases when the plant experiences cool temperatures.
- 🌱 Purple cabbage juice was historically used as a natural indicator of acidity and alkalinity; it turns pink in acidic solutions and blue-green in alkaline ones.
- 🌱 Purple Head cabbage can store for 5-6 months in proper cool storage conditions, making it one of the longest-storing vegetables and a valuable winter crop for gardeners and farmers.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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