Perfection Drumhead Savoy

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Perfection Drumhead Savoy to a garden.

Sink your senses into the dense, velvety heart of Perfection Drumhead Savoy—leaves unfurl in a dramatic, drum-tight rosette with a cool, sea-green glow and deeply crimped texture.

Expect a sweet, clean flavor with a tender bite, making it a standout for fresh salads, hearty braises, and silky slaws. A Flat Dutch cabbage type for gardeners who love a showpiece: sturdy heads form steadily in cool weather and hold their quality beautifully through the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Perfection Drumhead Savoy

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Perfection Drumhead 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 18th	Aug 11th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 8th	Aug 1st – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Aug 1st – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 12th	Aug 5th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Aug 1st – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 6th	Jul 30th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jul 25th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Apr 27th	Jul 21st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	Jul 18th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 18th	Jul 12th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 13th	Jul 7th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 3rd	Jun 27th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Mar 25th	Jun 18th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 16th	Jun 9th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Feb 27th	May 23rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 2nd	Apr 28th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 25th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Perfection Drumhead Savoy is built for texture: the tightly crimped, velvety leaves stay sweet and tender, not cabbagey-bitter, even when you shred them. Heat turns that mild brassica bite silky, so it shines in braises and slaws where other cabbages can go flat or sharp.

Best Uses

shredded slaw with a creamy or mayo-based dressing (keeps its crunch without tasting harsh)
braised wedges or stuffed cabbage—slow cook until the crimp goes silky
hot skillet sauté with butter and a splash of vinegar for a glossy, mellow finish
layered cabbage-and-potato bakes or stews where it soaks up broth evenly

Flavor Profile

sweet, clean cabbage flavor tender, slightly nutty bite moist, velvety leaf texture mild brassica bite that softens beautifully with heat

Kitchen Pairings

butter apple cider vinegar mustard bacon or pork belly caraway smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Brassica oleracea (Savoy cabbage), and how can I control it at home?

Cabbage often suffers from cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/diamondback moth larvae) that chew ragged holes in savoy leaves. Inspect weekly and pick off larvae by hand early, then apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) according to label directions when caterpillars are small. If you see yellowing with soft, collapsing tissue, remove affected plants and improve airflow between plants to reduce black rot/other brassica rots.

How often should I water Savoy cabbage during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level is ideal?

During head formation (roughly mid-season until harvest), keep the root zone consistently moist so the soil doesn’t dry out between waterings. Aim for deep watering about 1–2 times per week, increasing frequency during hot, windy weather, and use mulch to slow moisture loss around the plants. If leaves wilt in the afternoon then recover, water more often rather than giving a single heavy soak.

How can I tell when Perfection Drumhead Savoy (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads are firm and fully formed, with tight leaves that don’t compress easily when you gently press the outer head. Typical maturity is around 85 days, but final timing depends on firmness—don’t wait for overgrown loose heads. Cut the head at the base early in the day, leaving a few outer leaves to protect the savoy texture during storage.