Vertus

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Planting Schedule

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

Crisp, savoyed leaves unfurl into a dense, elegant head with a cool, ocean-green glow and a finely quilted texture that feels almost velvety to the eye.

“Vertus” develops with steady confidence—tight, uniform curds and a mild, sweet-green flavor that shines in fresh salads and becomes especially expressive when lightly cooked into comforting dishes. A dependable 85-day choice for gardeners who want a handsome winter-ready cabbage with standout surface beauty and satisfying crunch.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Rosette

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Vertus 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 25th	Aug 18th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Aug 8th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Aug 8th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Aug 12th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Aug 8th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Aug 6th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Aug 1st – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jul 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jul 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jul 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jul 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jul 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	Jun 25th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	Jun 16th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	May 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	May 5th – 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

Vertus is a savoyed, tight-curd cabbage that tastes more like clean, sweet greens than harsh brassica—built for crunch in raw slaws and for quick, shallow heat where the leaf stays textured. Under gentle cooking, the ridged surfaces drink up butter-vinegar or mustard-based sauces instead of collapsing into cabbage soup.

Best Uses

shredded slaw with a vinegar-lime dressing for a snappy bite
quick sauté and deglaze (fast wilt, not mush)
lightly braised wedges where the savoy texture soaks up sauce
rustic cabbage rolls where the leaves stay pliable without turning wet

Flavor Profile

mild sweet-green flavor crisp, fine savoyed leaf texture cool, slightly peppery brassica edge holds crunch when lightly cooked

Kitchen Pairings

caraway apple cider vinegar butter mustard (Dijon or whole-grain) bacon or pork smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease pest issue for Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage) and how can I prevent it?

Watch for cabbage aphids and cabbage worms (cabbage loopers/diamondback moth larvae), which chew leaves and leave frass or ragged holes. Use floating row cover from transplanting until heads start to form, and hand-pick larger larvae when you see them. For aphids, spray off with a strong water jet and use insecticidal soap if infestations persist.

How often should I water Brassica oleracea var. capitata during peak head growth (about weeks 4–8 after transplanting)?

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings in warm weather. Check by digging 2–3 inches down; the soil should feel evenly damp, not wet or dry. Uneven moisture can slow head formation and increase the risk of head splitting.

How do I tell when Brassica oleracea var. capitata is ready to harvest at ~85 days?

Harvest when heads are firm to the touch and have reached a full, solid size; gently squeeze the head—if it feels loose or springy, give it more time. Expect outer leaves to look slightly tightened around the head as maturity approaches. If heads are firm and you’re near the final days to maturity, cut at the base with a sharp knife and remove outer leaves with damage.