Hestia Brussels Sprout

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Sweet, nutty sprouts emerge in a tight, velvety crown—Hestia Brussels Sprout develops deep, glossy green buttons with a tender bite and a clean, refined flavor.

On a sturdy stalk, the uniform heads mature over a steady window, making it a standout for gardeners who want reliable harvests and beautiful results. Ideal for roasting and pan-browning, or for brightening into savory sauces and hearty braises, Hestia brings a premium, garden-fresh character to every plate.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Hestia Brussels Sprout

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jul 7th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Hestia’s uniform, tight crowns lean sweet and nutty rather than harsh, so you can take them hot and fast—roast or pan-sear until the faces caramelize without turning the whole sprout cabbagey. Finish with a hit of lemon and something salty-fat (parmesan or brown butter) to sharpen the clean brassica edge.

Best Uses

pan-browning or roast so the cut faces crisp while the centers stay tender
shave or quarter for hot-sautéed bowls with salty fat
turn into a smooth, savory purée for a silky side or sauce base
braise briefly with stock and a splash of acid to keep it refined

Flavor Profile

sweet, nutty brassica flavor tender bite with minimal bitterness deep, glossy, slightly earthy finish cooks up caramel-sweet at the edges

Kitchen Pairings

bacon brown butter garlic lemon parmesan mustard

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage cabbage worm damage on Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera)?

Look for holes in leaves and tiny green caterpillars (cabbage worms/loopers) starting in mid-season; hand-pick early infestations and check leaf undersides every 2–3 days. Cover seedlings and the developing sprouts with fine insect netting to prevent egg-laying, and if needed spray a labeled Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) product targeted to caterpillars, applied in the evening for best coverage. Remove and compost heavily damaged leaves to reduce ongoing feeding and attraction.

What watering schedule keeps Brussels sprouts evenly moist through the main growing phase?

During the main growth period (roughly from when plants are established until heads/sprouts fill), keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 deep waterings. If leaves start to wilt midday and then recover overnight, water immediately to avoid stress that can reduce sprout fill and increase disease. Mulch around plants helps maintain even moisture and reduces fluctuations that Brussels sprouts dislike.

When are Brussels sprouts ready to harvest on Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera?

Harvest when the lower sprouts are firm and reach their mature size—typically about 80 days from sowing to maturity, with the lowest sprouts ready first. Pick sprouts that are tight and solid to the touch; once they start to loosen or turn yellow, they’re past prime. Twist-and-snap individual sprouts off starting from the bottom, and continue harvesting upward as each sprout reaches size.