Best Brassicas for Heirloom
34 brassica varieties well-suited for heirloom varieties. Open-pollinated heritage cultivars with unique flavor.
Amazing
Medium-size plants with domed, solid curds and self-blanching, upright wrapper leaves when well fed. Tolerant to both heat and cold stress.
Arugula 'Rocket'
This fast-growing salad green delivers a peppery, nutty punch that transforms ordinary salads into gourmet experiences. The deeply lobed leaves are ready to harvest in just weeks, making it perfect for succession planting and continuous fresh salads. Cool weather brings out the best flavor, while hot weather intensifies the spiciness for those who love bold, peppery greens.
Black Magic Kale
Black Magic is a well-maintained selection of Toscano kale with long, narrow leaves for attractive and tall, straight bunches. Dark blue-green leaves with beautiful savoy. Lacinato or "dinosaur" type kale.
Brussels Sprouts 'Long Island Improved'
A reliable heirloom Brussels sprouts variety that produces abundant harvests of sweet, compact sprouts along tall, sturdy stalks. This cold-hardy variety actually improves in flavor after frost, developing a nutty sweetness that makes it perfect for roasting. An excellent choice for gardeners wanting to grow their own fresh Brussels sprouts without the bitterness often found in store-bought varieties.
Calabrese Broccoli
The classic Italian heirloom that gave us the broccoli we know today, originating from the Calabria region. This traditional variety produces medium-sized blue-green heads with excellent flavor and reliable side shoot production after the main head is harvested. A must-grow for gardeners seeking authentic Italian flavor and continuous harvests.
Collard Greens 'Georgia Southern'
The quintessential Southern collard green variety, prized for its large, blue-green leaves that become sweet and tender after cooking. This heat-tolerant heirloom thrives in hot summers when other greens bolt, and actually improves in flavor after frost. A must-have for traditional Southern cooking and an excellent source of nutrition for the home garden year-round.
Copenhagen Market Cabbage
A classic early-maturing cabbage that's been a gardener favorite since 1909, prized for its reliability and compact growth habit. This Danish heirloom produces perfectly round, solid heads with crisp, sweet leaves that are ideal for fresh eating or quick cooking. Its ability to mature quickly while maintaining excellent quality makes it perfect for successive plantings.
De Cicco Broccoli
A traditional Italian heirloom variety producing small, avg. 3-4", main heads projected well above the foliage followed by a large yield of side-shoot spears. Nonuniform in maturity, resulting in a long harvest period. Grow as later succession to BC1611. Longer harvest period than other sprouting broccoli varieties, with more variation in shoot size. For spring or fall production. Pinching recommended to encourage heavier side-shoot production. Unsized seed.
Detroit Dark Red
A classic heirloom cabbage prized for its deep burgundy-red color and exceptional storage capabilities. This reliable variety produces dense, round heads with crisp texture and sweet flavor that intensifies after light frosts. Perfect for both fresh eating and traditional fermented preparations like sauerkraut.
Dinosaur Kale
Dinosaur Kale is a heirloom Brassica featuring distinctive bumpy, deeply textured dark green leaves that resemble dinosaur skin—the source of its charming name. Maturing in 125 days under full sun, this variety stands out for its remarkably sweet, nutty flavor with significantly less bitterness than curly kale varieties, making it exceptionally palatable both raw and cooked. The tender leaves are ideal for salads, smoothies, and sautéed dishes. Thriving in rich, well-drained soil amended with organic matter, Dinosaur Kale is an easy-to-grow variety perfect for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
Dwarf Blue Curled Kale
A compact heirloom kale variety dating back to the 1860s, prized for its intensely curled blue-green leaves and sweet flavor that improves with frost. This space-saving variety is perfect for small gardens and containers while still providing abundant harvests of tender, flavorful leaves. The attractive, heavily ruffled foliage also makes it an excellent ornamental edible.
Early Flat Dutch Cabbage
A classic heirloom cabbage dating back to the 1840s, prized for its large, flattened heads that can weigh 10-15 pounds. This reliable variety produces solid, sweet heads with excellent storage qualities and is perfect for making sauerkraut or coleslaw.
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage
A treasured heirloom dating back to the 1840s, this variety produces compact, conical heads that are perfect for small gardens and early harvests. Known for its sweet, tender leaves and reliable performance, it's an excellent choice for gardeners wanting to try a piece of American agricultural history. The pointed heads are distinctively attractive and space-efficient.
Golden Acre Cabbage
A compact, early-maturing cabbage that's perfect for small gardens and beginning gardeners seeking reliable results. This variety produces perfectly round, solid heads with sweet, crisp leaves and has the advantage of maturing quickly without taking up excessive garden space. An excellent choice for succession planting and container growing.
Kohlrabi 'Early White Vienna'
This unique vegetable produces crisp, sweet bulbs that taste like a cross between cabbage and turnip, with a delightful apple-like crunch. The pale green bulbs are best harvested young and tender, offering a refreshing addition to salads or excellent roasted as a side dish. Easy to grow and fast-maturing, this heirloom variety is perfect for gardeners wanting to try something new and delicious.
Lacinato Kale
Also known as 'Dinosaur Kale' or 'Tuscan Kale', this Italian heirloom features distinctive dark blue-green leaves with a pebbled texture resembling reptilian skin. The narrow, strap-like leaves have a sweeter, more tender flavor than curly kale and become incredibly sweet after frost exposure. An absolute must-have for the health-conscious gardener seeking both nutrition and gourmet flavor.
Mizuna
Mizuna is a Japanese mustard green featuring delicate, feathery leaves with a lacy appearance that resemble fine parsley. This heirloom brassica matures quickly in 21-45 days, making it ideal for succession planting. Unlike assertive mustard greens, mizuna offers a mild, slightly peppery flavor with a fresh, clean taste that adds subtle complexity to salads and Asian dishes. The tender leaves are less fibrous than standard mustard varieties, allowing them to be eaten raw or lightly cooked. Mizuna thrives in cool seasons and tolerates partial shade, making it versatile for various growing conditions.
Mustard Greens 'Southern Giant Curled'
A beloved heirloom variety that's been a Southern garden staple for over 100 years, producing massive yields of deeply frilled, bright green leaves. This heat-tolerant variety grows vigorously in conditions that would stress other greens, making it perfect for extending the harvest season. The young leaves are mild enough for salads, while mature leaves develop the characteristic peppery bite that makes them perfect for traditional Southern cooking.
Napa Cabbage 'Michihili'
This classic Chinese cabbage produces tall, cylindrical heads with tender, sweet leaves perfect for Asian cuisine and fresh salads. The pale green leaves have crisp white ribs and a delicate flavor that's much milder than regular cabbage. Fast-growing and heat-tolerant, 'Michihili' is ideal for gardeners wanting to add authentic Asian vegetables to their garden repertoire.
Osaka Purple Mustard
A stunning Japanese mustard green with deep purple leaves and bright green stems that creates an eye-catching contrast in any garden bed or salad bowl. This fast-growing beauty offers a mild mustard flavor when young that intensifies as leaves mature, giving you versatility from baby greens to cooking greens.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a heirloom Brassica cabbage variety prized for its distinctive pale green coloring and tender, crinkled leaves. Reaching maturity in approximately 60 days, this early-season cultivar offers a notably mild cabbage flavor with a crisp, delicate texture that makes it exceptionally versatile. The leaves are sweeter and more tender than traditional varieties, making Peppermint cabbage ideal for fresh, raw applications such as slaws and salads, while remaining excellent for light cooking. This easy-to-grow variety thrives in full sun with well-drained, fertile soil and is particularly valued by home gardeners seeking a refined cabbage experience.
Purple Sprouting Broccoli 'Early Purple Sprouting'
A stunning heirloom variety that produces abundant purple flower heads over an extended harvest period. Unlike regular broccoli, this cold-hardy gem overwinters and provides fresh spears when little else is growing in the garden. The purple heads turn green when cooked and offer a sweet, nutty flavor that's considered superior to regular broccoli.
Purple Top Turnip
Purple Top Turnip is a classic heirloom variety featuring distinctive purple-tinged shoulders that fade to white at the base, creating an attractive two-tone appearance. These small to medium roots mature in just 37 days, making them quick from seed to harvest. The mild, sweet flesh develops additional complexity after frost, becoming noticeably sweeter. Young roots offer a subtle peppery bite, while mature roots are tender and suitable for roasting, mashing, or raw consumption. The purple coloring is both ornamental and traditional, making this an excellent choice for gardeners seeking reliable, flavorful turnips with minimal fuss.
Purple Vienna Kohlrabi
An eye-catching heirloom kohlrabi with striking purple-red skin and crisp white interior that tastes like a cross between cabbage and turnip. This unique vegetable is perfect for gardeners wanting to try something different, and it's surprisingly easy to grow with a sweet, mild flavor when harvested young.
Radish 'Daikon 'Miyashige'
A premium Japanese daikon variety prized for its exceptionally sweet, crisp flesh and smooth white skin. These impressively large roots can reach 14-18 inches long while maintaining perfect tenderness throughout. This variety is particularly valued for its ability to stay mild and juicy even when large, making it perfect for fresh eating and traditional Asian preparations.
Red Acre Cabbage
An early-maturing red cabbage that forms compact, baseball-sized heads perfect for small families and succession planting. This reliable variety produces gorgeous deep purple-red heads that hold their color beautifully when cooked and adds stunning visual appeal to any garden or plate.
Red Giant Mustard
A stunning Asian green with large, bronze-red leaves that add dramatic color to both the garden and the dinner plate. This vigorous heirloom variety provides continuous harvests of spicy, peppery leaves that mellow when cooked. Red Giant's bold appearance and robust flavor make it a favorite among adventurous gardeners and chefs.
Red Russian Kale
Stems are purple; leaves are flat and toothed with purple veins. Mature plants are medium-tall and leaves are tender compared to other kales. For salads and light cooking. Sized seed. Also available in organic seed.
Romanesco
Romanesco is a striking Italian heirloom brassica featuring distinctive spiraling, lime-green heads composed of fractal-like florets that resemble miniature trees. Maturing in approximately 95 days, it bridges broccoli and cauliflower with a sophisticated nutty-sweet flavor profile and tender-crisp texture. Its mild brassica notes and delicate taste distinguish it from heartier cruciferous varieties, making it exceptional for both raw preparations and light cooking. Visually compelling and culinarily refined, Romanesco commands attention on any plate while remaining approachable for gardeners willing to manage its moderate to challenging cultivation requirements.
Ruby Red or Rhubarb Chard
Candy-apple red stems and bronze to dark green, red-veined leaves. Moderate bolt tolerance. NOTE: Young Ruby Red plants may go to seed if exposed to sustained night temperatures in the low 50s; time sowings to avoid these conditions. Decorticated (rubbed), sized seeds.
Spring Raab
The most versatile broccoli raab variety for growing throughout the season - especially for spring and summer harvest, and overwintering in mild climates. Large plants mature over a 1-2 week period. Large, tender, abundant leaves borne on thin stems with delicate buds.
Tatsoi
Tatsoi is a compact Asian brassica featuring glossy, dark green spoon-shaped leaves arranged in a dense rosette, typically reaching 4-6 inches tall. Ready to harvest in 40-50 days, this heirloom variety offers a mild mustard flavor balanced with subtle sweetness and tender, succulent texture. Its small, self-contained growth habit makes it ideal for succession planting and container cultivation. Tatsoi works exceptionally well in stir-fries, salads, and Asian cuisine, where its delicate leaves and stems can be used whole.
Vates Dwarf Blue Curled Kale
A compact, cold-hardy kale variety that was specifically bred for both home gardens and commercial production, winning an AAS award for its reliability. The tightly curled, blue-green leaves pack incredible nutrition into a space-saving plant that actually improves in flavor after frost touches the leaves.
Waltham 29 Broccoli
Developed at the University of Massachusetts, this cold-hardy broccoli variety was specifically bred to extend the growing season well into winter in northern climates. It produces medium-sized, deep blue-green heads followed by an abundance of tender side shoots that can be harvested for weeks. This reliable performer is perfect for gardeners wanting fresh broccoli through the fall and early winter months.
Why These Brassicas Work for Heirloom
Heirloom varieties are open-pollinated cultivars passed down for generations — prized for complex flavor, storied history, and seed-saving potential. These varieties let you save seeds and grow the same crop next year.