How to Grow Purple Sprouting Broccoli & White Sprouting Broccoli
Wikimedia Commons
Purple Sprouting Broccoli & White Sprouting Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
vegetablePurple and White Sprouting Broccoli are winter-hardy brassicas that produce abundant side shoots with small flower heads rather than a single large head. These cold-season vegetables are prized for their tender, sweet sprouting heads that develop after the main stem is harvested, extending the harvest season well into spring.
Looking for a specific variety?
When should you plant Purple Sprouting Broccoli & White Sprouting 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.
Example Purple Sprouting Broccoli & White Sprouting Broccoli timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Purple Sprouting Broccoli & White Sprouting Broccoli
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Purple Sprouting Broccoli & White Sprouting Broccoli
Around Sep 14≈ 150 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple Sprouting Broccoli & White Sprouting Broccoli dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; prefers cooler climates and winter growth
Sign up free to see if Purple Sprouting Broccoli & White Sprouting Broccoli grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Purple Sprouting Broccoli & White Sprouting Broccoli timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves develop. Purple varieties show purple-tinged foliage early on.
Keep soil consistently moist. Protect from insects with row covers. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.
Vegetative Growth
8-12 weeksPlants develop large, deeply lobed leaves and a strong stem structure. Plants grow 24-36 inches tall.
Water regularly and deeply. Apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Remove damaged leaves. Monitor for pests continuously.
Hardening Off / Cold Hardening
4-8 weeks (October-December in northern zones)After exposure to frost, plants accumulate sugars and develop their characteristic flavor. Leaves may show purple or blue tones.
Do not cover or protect from frost—cold exposure improves flavor and increases sweetness. Light frost damage (wilting) is normal and beneficial.
Flowering & Sprouting
6-10 weeks (late winter into spring)Main central head forms small flower buds. After harvesting the main head, numerous side shoots emerge from leaf axils, each topped with small purple or white sprouting heads.
Harvest main head when flower buds are tight but before flowers open. Immediately after main head harvest, side shoots begin proliferating. Continue watering and applying light fertilizer.
Extended Harvest
8-12 weeks (February-April in northern zones)Multiple side shoots produce successive flushes of smaller sprouting heads over an extended period, continuing into spring.
Harvest side shoots when 2-3 inches long and buds are tight. Pinch off flower petals if any open. Regular harvesting encourages more shoots to develop. Continue watering.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Use fine mesh row covers over young plants. Handpick caterpillars or use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray. Remove and destroy affected leaves.
-
Apply Bt spray when young larvae appear. Hand-remove larger caterpillars. Encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps.
-
Use row covers on seedlings. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Dust with diatomaceous earth. Remove damaged leaves.
-
Place collars around base of transplants to prevent egg-laying. Rotate crops annually. Apply beneficial nematodes to soil.
-
Add lime to soil to raise pH above 7.0. Improve drainage. Use resistant varieties if available. Practice 4-year crop rotation.
-
Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Vacuum insects from leaves with handheld device.
Uses
Winter & Spring Vegetable
CulinaryBoth varieties are valued as cold-season crops that extend the vegetable garden into winter and spring. Sprouting shoots are sweeter and more tender than large broccoli heads, ideal for steaming, roasting, or stir-frying. [source]
Extended Harvest Window
CulinaryThe succession of side shoots provides a long harvest season spanning 8-12 weeks or more, offering continuous fresh produce when other vegetables are scarce. Each plant can yield 2-3 pounds of sprouting heads over the season. [source]
Glucosinolate & Sulforaphane Content
MedicinalSprouting broccoli varieties contain high levels of glucosinolates and their breakdown product sulforaphane, compounds with documented anti-inflammatory and potential cancer-preventive properties. Raw or lightly cooked broccoli preserves these beneficial compounds. [source]
Nutritional Density
CulinaryPurple and white sprouting broccoli are rich in vitamins C and K, fiber, folate, and minerals. The smaller sprouting heads may contain even higher nutrient concentration per serving compared to standard broccoli crowns. [source]
Garden Season Extension
HouseholdGrowing sprouting broccoli extends the harvest season from late fall through spring in temperate zones, reducing the need for stored or imported vegetables during winter months. These varieties thrive in cool weather when many other crops have finished. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Sow seeds in mid to late spring (April-May in northern zones) for winter and spring harvest. Plant transplants in late June-July for fall/winter crops. Harvest the main central head when flower buds are tight and compact but before flowers open, typically in late fall or early winter. Cut 4-6 inches below the head. This triggers abundant side shoot development. Harvest side shoots when they are 2-3 inches long with tight buds, before flowers open. Pinch or snap shoots off by hand or use a sharp knife. Continue harvesting successive flushes through late spring. Morning harvest gives best texture. Purple varieties maintain better color if harvested before excessive heating.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Purple Sprouting Broccoli was developed in Italy in the 16th century and was nearly lost to commercial agriculture until UK gardeners revived heirloom varieties in the late 20th century. It is now enjoying renewed popularity among seed savers and heritage vegetable enthusiasts.
- 🌱 Unlike standard broccoli which produces one large head and then stops, Purple and White Sprouting Broccoli can produce 30-40+ individual small heads over the harvest season from a single plant, making them exceptionally productive for small gardens.
- 🌱 The flavor of sprouting broccoli improves dramatically after exposure to frost or freezing temperatures, with plants becoming sweeter and more tender as they accumulate sugars as an anti-freeze mechanism. Many gardeners deliberately wait for hard frosts before beginning main harvests.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Purple Sprouting Broccoli & White Sprouting Broccoli planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Purple Sprouting Broccoli & White Sprouting 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 Purple Sprouting Broccoli & White Sprouting Broccoli timeline →