Des Vertus Savoy

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Des Vertus Savoy to a garden.

Unfurl Des Vertus Savoy and savor the sight—and the promise—of its tightly layered, deeply crinkled leaves, cool as velvet and richly aromatic.

At maturity, heads form a firm, elegant globe with a gentle, sweet cabbage flavor and a tender, springy texture that holds its character beautifully for classic garden use. Ideal for hearty braises and slow-simmered preparations, this Savoy cabbage brings a refined, crinkled beauty to the table from the first harvest through the last leaves.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Des Vertus Savoy

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Des Vertus Savoy Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Aug 8th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 29th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Aug 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jul 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jul 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jul 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jul 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	Jun 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	Jun 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	May 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Apr 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Des Vertus Savoy’s tightly crinkled leaves soften into a tender spring rather than collapsing, so it carries braising juices like a sponge. Use it where you want that gentle sweetness and aromatic brassica edge to stay intact—especially with butter, bacon, or sharp vinegar.

Best Uses

butter-braised savoy wedges until silk-tender
slow-simmered braises and ragù-style cabbage pot cooking
stir-fry or quick sauté where the ridges catch seasoning
shredded slaw with assertive vinaigrette for crisp-tender bite

Flavor Profile

gentle sweet cabbage flavor tender, springy bite in the leaves pleasantly aromatic, faintly nutty brassica depth crinkled leaf texture that clings to sauce

Kitchen Pairings

caraway bacon mustard butter apple cider vinegar smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Brassica oleracea var. capitata (Savoy cabbage), and how can I control it?

A very common issue is cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/loopers) that chew irregular holes in the leaves. Inspect the undersides weekly and hand-pick early; then cover seedlings and actively growing heads with fine row cover so butterflies can’t lay eggs. If damage is already present, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray targeted for caterpillars and repeat as label directions require.

How often should I water Savoy cabbage during the main growth phase?

During head formation (roughly after the plant is well established), keep the soil consistently evenly moist but never waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Sandy soil may need more frequent watering (smaller amounts), while heavier soils may need less; check by pushing a finger 1–2 inches into the soil—water when it feels dry at that depth. Mulch helps prevent the moisture swings that can lead to loose heads and split or stressed foliage.

How do I know when Des Vertus Savoy (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the heads feel firm and compact and the outer leaves look fully grown but still fresh-green (generally around 75 days from sowing, depending on your start method). A good test is to gently squeeze the head—if it compresses slightly but doesn’t feel soft, it’s ready; if it feels tight and rigid, pick promptly. Cut the head with a sharp knife at the base, leaving a few wrapper leaves to protect the surface.