Snow Crown

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

A luminous, snow-white crown with a satin, finely grained curd that seems to glow against its deep green foliage—Snow Crown is the cauliflower you’ll want to grow just to admire.

Expect a tender, sweet flavor and a crisp-yet-silky texture at maturity, with heads that hold their color beautifully. Ideal for showcasing in fresh preparations, roasting, and creamy sauces, Snow Crown brings a refined, garden-fresh elegance to every plate.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 21st
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Snow Crown’s finely grained, snow-white curd turns buttery without going fluffy, so it roasts beautifully and stays photogenic in creamy sauces. Use it anywhere you want cauliflower that reads sweet and refined, not cabbagey.

Best Uses

roasting until the edges go caramel-brown while the center stays creamy
blanch-and-blend for a smooth cauliflower purée (no graininess)
hot-and-cold cauliflower steaks with a quick vinaigrette glaze
creamy gratin or velouté where it holds shape and stays pale

Flavor Profile

tender, sweet brassica flavor crisp-yet-silky curd texture bright, clean finish with mild nuttiness

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic butter olive oil Parmesan nutmeg

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (Snow Crown), and how do I control it?

Cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/diamondback larvae) commonly chew holes in the curd leaves and can ruin heads quickly. Inspect the plants 2–3 times per week and hand-pick visible caterpillars, then spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) labeled for cabbage/cauliflower as soon as you see early chewing (follow label rates and reapply as directed). If you see black, watery spots or a gray moldy curd, remove affected leaves immediately and keep air moving around the plants to reduce moisture on the curd.

How often should I water Snow Crown heads during their main growth to keep curds developing well?

During the 4–6 weeks leading up to head formation, keep the root zone consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 2–3 smaller waterings if it’s hot or windy. Brassica oleracea var. botrytis curds can be stressed by irregular moisture, so water when the top 1 inch of soil starts to dry rather than letting it swing dry-to-soggy.

How can I tell when Snow Crown is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 55 days after transplant (or when the heads reach full size), when the curd is firm, compact, and evenly white/creamy. Use your hands to gently press the head—if it feels soft or leaves the curd loose, wait a few more days; if the curd begins to separate or show signs of opening, harvest immediately to prevent quality drop.