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How to Grow Purple Sprouting Broccoli / Red Sprouting Broccoli

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Purple Sprouting Broccoli / Red Sprouting Broccoli

Brassica oleracea var. italica

vegetable

Purple and Red Sprouting Broccoli are cold-hardy brassicas that produce numerous small florets on side shoots rather than a single large head. These overwintering varieties are prized for their extended harvest period throughout winter and early spring, offering tender, sweet florets with nutty flavor. They are more cold-tolerant than standard broccoli and thrive in cooler climates.

Looking for a specific variety?

Red Sprouting Early Rudolph Purple Sprouting Early Purple Sprouting Late Claret Evesham Special

When should you plant Purple Sprouting Broccoli / Red Sprouting Broccoli in your zone?

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

  1. Plant Purple Sprouting Broccoli / Red 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 Purple Sprouting Broccoli / Red Sprouting Broccoli

    Around Aug 15

    ≈ 120 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum
💧
Water: Consistent moisture, 1-1.5 inches per week; avoid waterlogging. Water deeply at soil level to prevent fungal diseases.
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Spacing: 18 inches
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Days to maturity: 120-180 days from transplant (harvesting begins in late winter/early spring)
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Planting depth: 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 bonemeal kelp meal

Growing Zones

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Zones 3-9; best suited for cooler regions where winter temperatures remain above -10°F

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

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

4-6 weeks

Small plants with 2-4 true leaves; delicate and tender

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light and protect from wind. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting.

2

Vegetative Growth

8-12 weeks

Plant develops robust leaves and establishes a strong root system; no visible flower buds yet

Transplant outdoors in summer (June-July in northern regions). Water deeply and regularly. Apply mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Monitor for pests.

3

Dormancy/Overwinter

12-16 weeks (November through February)

Plant enters dormancy as temperatures drop below 32°F; leaves may discolor or curl slightly but remain on plant

Minimal intervention needed. The cold actually sweetens the florets by converting starches to sugars. Protect from severe wind with row covers if temperatures drop below -10°F. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.

4

Sprouting/Harvest

6-10 weeks (February through April)

As temperatures warm in late winter and spring, numerous small purple or red florets emerge on side shoots along the stem

Begin harvesting when florets are tight and 2-4 inches long. Regular harvesting encourages more side shoots to develop. Continue harvesting until flower buds become too loose or flowering occurs.

5

Flowering

2-3 weeks (late April onward)

If unharvested, florets open into yellow flowers; plant becomes less palatable

Harvest before flowers open. If florets are missed and flower, allow some to complete their cycle to support pollinators and beneficial insects.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Garlic onions beets chard spinach lettuce chamomile dill thyme marigolds nasturtiums

Avoid planting near:

Cabbage cauliflower kale kohlrabi other brassicas (excessive pest/disease pressure) tomatoes peppers fennel

Common Pests

  • Row covers until flowering; hand-pick; organic sprays (Bt, spinosad); encourage parasitic wasps

  • Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; introduce ladybugs and lacewings

  • Row covers; diatomaceous earth; reflective mulches; neem oil

  • Crop rotation (3-4 years); lime to raise pH; resistant varieties; remove infected plants immediately

  • Improve air circulation; sulfur dust; neem oil; avoid overhead watering

  • Remove affected leaves; improve drainage; copper fungicides; adequate spacing

Uses

🍳

Roasted or Steamed Florets

Culinary

Purple and Red Sprouting Broccoli florets have a tender, sweet, slightly nutty flavor that is elevated by roasting with olive oil and garlic or gentle steaming. They are more delicate and tender than standard broccoli and require shorter cooking times. [source]

🍳

Winter Greens Substitute

Culinary

The entire tender stem and florets can be eaten, making this vegetable more economical than standard broccoli. Stalks are sweeter and more tender in cold-season harvests due to cryoprotectant compounds formed during frost. [source]

💊

Glucosinolate Source

Medicinal

Brassicas including Purple and Red Sprouting Broccoli are rich in glucosinolates, compounds that convert to sulforaphane when chewed or cooked, known for potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. [source]

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Season Extension & Winter Gardening

Household

Purple and Red Sprouting Broccoli exemplify cold-hardy vegetable gardening, extending the harvest season through winter months when most gardens are dormant. This allows fresh, local produce even in cold climates. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

If allowed to flower, the bright yellow blooms attract early-season bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects emerging from winter dormancy, providing crucial forage when few other food sources exist. [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 in late winter/early spring when central florets are tight and 2-4 inches long. Harvest every 2-3 days to encourage continued side shoot production. Cut with a sharp knife 1-2 inches below florets. Plants can produce for 6-10 weeks. Harvest before florets open into flowers for best tenderness and flavor. Morning harvest yields crispest results.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Purple and Red Sprouting Broccoli are traditional British winter vegetables, virtually unknown in North America until the last 20-30 years, yet they have been cultivated in the UK for centuries.
  • 🌱 Cold exposure actually improves flavor: frost converts starches to sugars and triggers production of cryoprotectants, making late-winter harvests notably sweeter and more tender than autumn crops.
  • 🌱 A single plant can produce 50-100+ small florets over 6-10 weeks of spring harvesting, making them far more productive than standard broccoli's single large head.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Mulch Row Cover Transplant True Leaves
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