Cabbage at a Glance
Learn how to grow cabbage and which varieties are our favorites for cooking, storing and eating.
August/September 2012
By Barbara Pleasant
The chart below includes a mix of open-pollinated (OP) and hybrid (F1) cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) varieties, which have a range of sizes and maturation times. Varieties marked with an asterisk can be grown at close spacing and produce softball-sized heads. More information on the types of cabbage and how to plant them can be found in All About Growing Cabbage.
| Type | Description | Recommended Varieties |
| Green cabbage | You’ll need plenty of space to grow big heads. Crowding reduces head size, but miniature varieties such as ‘Gonzales’ fit in tight spaces in the garden and the refrigerator. | ‘Farao’* (F1), 63 days ‘Golden Acre’ (OP), 62 days ‘Gonzales’* (F1), 66 days ‘Kaitlin’ (F1), 94 days |
| Red cabbage | These stunning red heads with white cores are slightly more nutritious than green cabbage. | ‘Red Express’* (OP), 62 days ‘Ruby Perfection’ (F1), 85 days ‘Super Red 80’* (F1), 80 days |
| Savoy cabbage | Dramatic ruffled leaves surround a tender heart. Fast-maturing varieties do well in spring, but savoy cabbage tastes sweetest in fall. | ‘Alcosa’* (F1), 70 days ‘Deadon’ (F1), 105 days ‘Des Vertus’ (OP), 95 days ‘Famosa’ (F1), 68 days |
| Pointed cabbage | Small, elongated heads are surrounded by buttery leaves with a crisp heart. Easy to grow and loads of fun for the cook. | ‘Caraflex’* (F1), 68 days ‘Early Jersey Wakefield’ (OP), 63 days ‘Filderkraut’ (OP), 95 days |
| Locate sources for these cabbage varieties with our custom Seed and Plant Finder. | ||
Contributing editor Barbara Pleasant gardens in southwest Virginia, where she grows vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers and a few lucky chickens. Contact Barbara by visiting her website or finding her on Google+.
