Cabbage at a Glance
Learn how to grow cabbage and which varieties are our favorites for cooking, storing and eating.
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.
To locate sources for these varieties, use our online Seed and Plant Finder.
| 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
|
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+.