Red Bull

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Red Bull to a garden.

Crisp, jewel-toned heads arrive with a deep, wine-red glow that darkens beautifully as they mature—an eye-catching crunch with a pleasantly sweet, cabbage-forward bite.

Red Bull forms tight, heavy cabbages with a dense, fine texture that holds its shape for standout slaws and vibrant color in cooked dishes, while also shining in fresh salads for gardeners who love bold, tangy flavor. Grow it for a reliable 85-day harvest when you want striking color, satisfying crunch, and dependable performance in warm-season beds.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Red Bull 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	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

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

Built for texture: this dense red head shreds into ribbons that keep their bite in slaw and don’t turn limp when dressed. The sweet-leaning cabbage flavor and heat-stable color make it especially good for vinegar-bright salads and warm preparations where you want the red to look like it means business.

Best Uses

shredded slaw that stays snappy under creamy dressings
quick-sautéed or steamed wedges where you want color without mush
braises and roasts that benefit from cabbage’s firm, toothsome texture
raw salads where the tangy bite can cut through fat

Flavor Profile

crisp, fine-grained crunch cabbage-forward sweetness with a mild peppery bite wine-red color that deepens in heat holds structure instead of collapsing

Kitchen Pairings

caraway apple cider vinegar goat cheese smoked pork brown butter mustard

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage), and what should I do?

Watch for cabbage worms and aphids; both chew leaves and can leave holes or sticky residue. Use row cover after transplanting to block egg-laying, hand-pick any caterpillars you see, and spray cabbage foliage with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for active caterpillars. If you see yellowing and soft, foul-smelling rot near the base or blackened inner leaves, remove affected plants promptly and avoid wetting foliage to reduce spread.

How often should I water cabbage during the main growing phase?

During head formation, keep soil evenly moist—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Water deeply so moisture reaches the roots, then let the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of soil dry slightly before watering again to prevent cracking and rot. Consistent moisture is especially important from when heads start to form until harvest.

How can I tell when red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the heads are firm and feel dense when you gently press them—loose heads usually need more time. Typical maturity is about 85 days, but use firmness as your main indicator and harvest before heads split from irregular watering or heavy weather. Cut the head at the base with a sharp knife, and avoid bruising the outer leaves that protect the inner head.