Brassica oleracea

Brassica oleracea — the astonishing single species behind cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and kohlrabi, all bred from wild cabbage. The botanical home of our cabbage family range.

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Brassica oleracea — the cabbage family

Brassica oleracea is one of the most extraordinary species in the vegetable garden: a single plant that, through centuries of selection, gives us cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi and collards. It underpins our cabbage family and leafy brassica ranges, including hardy kale.

History & origin

All of these vegetables descend from wild cabbage, a tough, leafy plant of the limestone sea cliffs of western and southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Over more than two thousand years, growers selected the same species in different directions — for its leaves (kale and cabbage), its flower buds (broccoli and cauliflower), its side buds (Brussels sprouts), its swollen stem (kohlrabi) and its tight terminal bud (the cabbage head). It is one of the most cited examples of just how far selective breeding can transform a single plant.

The name reflects its long kitchen-garden history: Brassica is the classical Latin for cabbage, and oleracea means “of the vegetable garden,” or simply edible.

Botanical characteristics

Most forms are hardy biennials, building up leaf in their first year and flowering in their second, though we harvest nearly all of them in year one. They share blue-green, often waxy leaves and a love of cool weather, firm, fertile, limed soil and steady moisture. The group ranges from cut-and-come-again kales for winter to tightly hearted cabbages and the curds of cauliflower and broccoli. Quicker leafy types feature among our fast-growing vegetables.

Growing Brassica oleracea from seed

Brassicas like a long season and firm, fertile ground. Sow in seedbeds or modules and transplant into well-firmed, limed soil, keeping plants steadily watered. Their main challenge is pests — from caterpillars to flea beetle and pigeons — so netting and a little companion planting pay off. Our vegetable sowing calendar shows the timing and our pest control guide helps keep them clean.

Ready to grow brassicas? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Cabbage Family · Leafy Brassicas · Kale · Fast-Growing Veg · All Vegetables

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brassica oleracea?
A single species that includes cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and kohlrabi.

How can they all be one species?
They were bred from wild cabbage, with growers selecting different parts — leaves, buds or stems — over thousands of years.

Where does it originate?
From wild cabbage on the sea cliffs of western and southern Europe and the Mediterranean.

What does the name mean?
Brassica is Latin for cabbage and oleracea means “of the vegetable garden.”

How do I grow brassicas?
Give them a long season in firm, fertile, limed soil, water steadily, and protect them from pests.