Purple Sprouting

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Tender, jewel-toned sprigs emerge in a cool-season hush—deep purple heads that fade to vivid green as they unfurl.

Purple Sprouting forms a sturdy, branching crown with crisp, finely textured florets and sweet, mild flavor that shines in quick roasts, steaming, and hearty winter sautés, as well as fresh-tossed sprout salads. Grow it for a long harvest window: cut the spears and watch fresh side shoots rise again and again through the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Purple Sprouting

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	Jun 7th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
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

Purple Sprouting is for the long game: those branching crowns stay sweet and crisp, so you want methods that heat fast and stop—steam, roast hot, or blanch for salad. It turns from jewel-purple to vivid green on cooking, and because it’s mild, it takes rich fats and salty accents (buttery, cheesy, or umami-heavy) without getting harsh.

Best Uses

steaming or quick-simmering for snappy florets under a squeeze of lemon
sheet-pan roasting until edges turn dark-golden while centers stay tender
tossed sprout-salad stage: raw/very lightly blanched with a slick dressing so they stay crisp

Flavor Profile

sweet, mild brassica flavor crisp-tender florets with a fine, slightly nutty bite earthy green vegetal notes that soften with heat

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil Parmesan butter anchovy tahini

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests commonly attack purple sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), and how do I control them?

Watch for cabbage white caterpillars and aphids on the tight, developing heads and tender shoots. Hand-pick caterpillars early in the season and spray aphids with a strong jet of water; if pressure is high, use an insecticidal soap and repeat every 5–7 days until new growth is clear. Use a row cover over plants after transplanting to prevent butterflies from laying eggs, especially in cool but humid stretches.

How often should I water purple sprouting broccoli during its main growing phase?

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged from transplanting through head formation; aim for about 1–1.5 inches of water per week depending on rainfall and heat. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil dries, and mulch after watering to prevent moisture swings that can cause loose, uneven curds. Avoid letting plants sit in soggy soil, which increases the risk of fungal problems like clubroot and damp rot.

How can I tell when purple sprouting broccoli is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the side shoots form firm, tight purple florets and are still compact—typically about 50 days from sowing/transplanting depending on your timing. Pick shoots individually as soon as they reach usable size, before florets loosen or start separating into more open buds. If the main crown has set, continue harvesting smaller side shoots over several weeks by cutting each shoot with a short stem and leaving the surrounding crown to regrow.