Vienna White

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Sweetly crisp and cool as fresh-cut porcelain, Vienna White forms smooth, globe-like kohlrabi with a creamy white skin that feels satiny under the fingers.

The flesh stays tender and fine-grained, offering a mild, cabbage-kissed flavor that shines in salads and quick-roasted sides, and it also lends itself beautifully to slaws and tangy pickles. Grow it for a clean, elegant harvest at about 55 days—uniform bulbs that look as good as they taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

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 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
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

Vienna White kohlrabi is built for the cold, clean crunch—sweet and tender rather than sharp, so it stays crisp in a shaved salad and doesn’t turn bready. Treat it like a delicate root-veg: roast hot for edges, or pickle for that bright, snappy bite that cuts through rich butter and sausage.

Best Uses

shaved raw salads that hold crunch without turning watery
quick-roasted wedges (high heat) for caramelized edges while keeping the center tender
slaws where it stays crisp under a creamy or tangy dressing
quick pickles/brined slices for a clean, snappy bite

Flavor Profile

sweet, mild cabbage-kissed flavor snappy, cool-crisp bite tender, fine-grained flesh that stays pleasantly juicy creamy skin with a clean, satiny mouthfeel

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon mustard apple cider vinegar gruyere pork sausage

Frequently Asked Questions

Vienna White (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes): how do I manage clubroot and cabbage aphids?

Check for clubroot by looking for plants that wilt during warm days and develop swollen, distorted roots; pull and destroy infected plants and avoid planting Brassicaceae in the same spot for several years. For aphids, spray a strong jet of water to knock them off early, then use insecticidal soap if colonies persist—repeat every 5–7 days while you see new aphids.

How often should I water Vienna White during the main bulbing phase?

During the 3–5 weeks when the above-ground stems/“bulbs” are thickening (roughly mid-season until about 55 days), keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and rainfall, aiming for steady moisture to 6–8 in depth; if the soil dries out completely between waterings, the stems can become woody and split.

How can I tell when Vienna White is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 55 days when the stem “bulbs” are firm, well-sized for your spacing, and have a smooth, pale-green to white surface. If the stems start to look overly elongated or softens after squeezing lightly, harvest immediately—overmature kohlrabi tends to turn tougher.