How to Grow Viking
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Viking
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
vegetableViking is a red cabbage cultivar known for its deep purple-red coloring and compact, dense head formation. It's a cool-season brassica that develops tight heads suitable for storage, fresh eating, and cooking. This variety is prized for its vibrant color, which intensifies when cooked and adds visual appeal to dishes.
When should you plant Viking in your zone?
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Example Viking timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Viking
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 Viking
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Viking dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9; prefers cooler climates for best head development
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Get my Viking timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves; vulnerable stage with delicate foliage
Maintain consistent moisture and moderate temperatures (60-70°F). Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops 8-12 leaves; begins forming loose head structure. Foliage is deep blue-green to purple
Ensure adequate nitrogen fertilizer; side-dress every 3-4 weeks. Monitor for pests. Keep soil consistently moist. Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Head Formation
3-4 weeksLeaves wrap tightly to form a solid, dense head. Color deepens to dark red-purple
Reduce nitrogen to encourage heading over leaf growth; switch to balanced or phosphorus-rich fertilizer. Ensure adequate boron to prevent internal disorders. Water consistently but allow soil surface to dry slightly.
Head Maturation
2-3 weeksHead becomes firm and compact; color intensifies to deep red-purple throughout
Reduce watering slightly to concentrate flavor and improve storage quality. Avoid excessive nitrogen. Monitor for pests that target mature heads. Heads can stay in ground for several weeks once mature.
Harvest-Ready
Until harvestHead is solid and firm when squeezed; outer leaves may show slight yellowing or weathering
Check head firmness by gently squeezing. Harvest before heavy frost if storing, or leave in ground for cold-storage maturation if frost will help preserve quality.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers on young plants; hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; plant resistant varieties
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Hand-pick larvae; use Bt spray; employ row covers; encourage parasitic wasps
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Use row covers on transplants; apply neem oil or spinosad; use kaolin clay spray; mulch heavily
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Hand-pick bugs and egg clusters; use row covers; apply neem oil; plant trap crops
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Use disease-resistant varieties; rotate crops; improve soil drainage; maintain pH above 6.8; avoid moving contaminated soil
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Use disease-free seed; practice crop rotation (3+ years); remove infected plants immediately; avoid overhead watering
Uses
Fermented Sauerkraut & Coleslaw
CulinaryViking cabbage's crisp texture and deep red color make it ideal for fermented sauerkraut, adding both flavor and striking purple-hued output. The vibrant color is retained when cooked, making it perfect for traditional coleslaw and braised cabbage dishes. [source]
Anthocyanin-Rich Cooking
CulinaryThe deep red pigmentation comes from anthocyanins, water-soluble pigments that intensify when cooked with acidic ingredients like vinegar or lemon. These compounds have antioxidant properties and make the cabbage particularly nutritious when prepared for consumption. [source]
Natural pH Indicator & Dye
HouseholdRed cabbage juice can be used as a natural pH indicator—turning pink in acidic solutions and blue-green in alkaline solutions. It has historically been used to create natural dyes for textiles and artistic projects. [source]
Anti-inflammatory Nutrition
MedicinalRich in vitamin C, vitamin K, and polyphenols, Viking cabbage supports immune function and may have anti-inflammatory properties. Traditional herbalism values raw cabbage juice for digestive support, though scientific evidence is emerging. [source]
Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeCabbage flowers (if allowed to bolt in the garden) provide pollen and nectar for beneficial insects like honeybees and parasitic wasps that prey on garden 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
Harvest when heads are firm and compact, typically 75-100 days after transplanting. Cut the entire head at the base with a sharp knife, leaving 2-3 outer leaves attached for protection. For fall/winter crops, heads improve in flavor and store longer after frost exposure. Store in cool conditions (32-40°F, 90-95% humidity) for 3-6 months. Remove any yellow or damaged outer leaves before storage.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Viking cabbage's red pigmentation intensifies when the plant experiences cool temperatures, making fall-grown varieties more deeply colored than spring crops.
- 🌱 Red cabbage contains anthocyanins that change color based on pH: they're red in acidic conditions, purple in neutral conditions, and blue-green in alkaline conditions—making it a natural chemistry indicator.
- 🌱 A single mature Viking cabbage head can weigh 3-5 pounds and contains hundreds of tightly wrapped leaves, with each leaf representing a folded section of the plant's extensive leaf surface area.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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