Also known as Mustard Plant · 1k gardener saves
Brassica: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Brassica, the genus most gardeners know as mustard plant. We track 22 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Brassica varieties
Of 22 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedOsaka Purple Mustard
Brassica juncea 'Osaka Purple'
#2 most savedChinese Cabbage
Brassica rapa 'Chinese Cabbage'
#3 most savedVates Champion Collard Greens
Brassica oleracea 'Vates Champion'
Purple Top Turnip
Brassica rapa 'Purple Top'
Darkibor Kale
Brassica oleracea 'Darkibor'
Ornamental Kale
Brassica oleracea 'Richmond's Pride'
Romanesco Cauliflower 'Veronica'
Brassica oleracea 'Veronica'
Caraflex cabbage
Brassica oleracea 'Caraflex'
Pixie Cabbage
Brassica oleracea 'Pixie'
Wild Cabbage
Brassica oleracea
Terek Kale
Brassica oleacea 'Terek'
Violetta Broccoli Raab
Brassica rapa 'Violetta'
Browse all 22 Brassica varieties →
How to grow Brassica
What the Brassica varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 22 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Brassica year
- PlantFebruary, March, July and August100% of varieties
Sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, or direct sow in late summer for fall crop
- HarvestApril, May, June, September, October and November100% of varieties
Harvest outer leaves continuously (kale) or cut heads when firm (cabbage)
- Check for PestsApril–September100% of varieties
Watch for cabbage worms, loopers, and aphids; inspect leaf undersides
- FertilizeMarch, April, May, August and September95% of varieties
Apply high-nitrogen fertilizer every 4 weeks as heads/leaves develop
- MulchMarch41% of varieties
Apply thick layer of mulch to keep soil cool and moist
Do
- Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Water consistently to keep soil moist 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature
- Keep soil consistently moist 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Refrain from using chemical pesticides without organic options
- Avoid letting soil dry out completely ❌
- Avoid planting in poorly drained areas
What goes wrong with Brassica
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Cabbage worms | Chewed leaves and holes | Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or handpick worms |
| Cabbage Worms | Chewed leaves and holes | Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or handpick pests |
| Cabbage aphid | Distorted or yellowing leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Downy Mildew | Yellow patches with fuzzy gray mold | Improve air circulation and apply copper fungicide |
| Downy mildew | Yellow patches and fuzzy growth on undersides of leaves | Improve air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
| Black rot | Vinegary smell and blackened veins | Practice crop rotation and remove infected plants |
Making more Brassica
seeds
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring (6 weeks before last frost).
- Maintain consistent moisture throughout germination period.
- Thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding after emergence.
Seeds
- Tuck seeds ¼ inch deep in prepared soil
- Keep soil moist for germination over 7–10 days
- Thin seedlings to proper spacing after sprouting
Brassica questions
How many types of Brassica are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 22 distinct Brassica varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Brassica grow in?
Across its varieties, Brassica covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Brassica bloom?
Most Brassica varieties bloom in late spring, early summer, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Brassica should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Brassica shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Brassica in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
