Purple Vienna Kohlrabi
Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes 'Purple Vienna'
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.
Harvest
60-70d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
6–9
USDA hardiness
Height
10-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Purple Vienna Kohlrabi in USDA Zone 7
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Purple Vienna Kohlrabi · Zones 6–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January – January | February – March | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | January – March | March – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits dry and split when ripe.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Siliqua. Length: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Purple Vienna kohlrabi stores best in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks when properly handled. Remove all leaves except the smallest center ones, then wrap bulbs in perforated plastic bags or store in the crisper drawer. Don't wash before storing – clean just before use to prevent moisture-related decay.
For longer storage, kohlrabi keeps well in a cool basement or root cellar at 32-40°F with high humidity for up to 2 months. Layer bulbs in damp sand or peat moss, ensuring they don't touch each other.
To freeze, peel and cut into ½-inch cubes, blanch for 2 minutes in boiling water, then cool immediately in ice water before packaging. Frozen kohlrabi maintains quality for 8-12 months and works well in soups and stews. Purple Vienna also makes excellent fermented vegetables – slice thin and ferment like sauerkraut for a colorful, crunchy addition to winter meals.
History & Origin
Purple Vienna kohlrabi traces its roots to the Mediterranean region, where wild cabbage first evolved into the diverse brassica vegetables we know today. The variety emerged in the Austrian-German border regions during the 16th century, where Viennese market gardeners selected for the distinctive purple-red coloration and refined the bulb's shape and texture.
The name 'kohlrabi' comes from the German words 'kohl' (cabbage) and 'rübe' (turnip), reflecting its unique appearance and flavor profile. Purple Vienna became particularly popular in Central European cuisine, prized for its ability to store through winter and provide fresh vegetables during the lean months.
This heirloom variety was brought to America by German and Austrian immigrants in the 1800s, where it thrived in the cooler northern regions. Unlike many modern hybrids bred for uniform appearance and shipping, Purple Vienna was selected purely for flavor and garden performance. Its genetic stability and open-pollinated nature make it a favorite among seed savers and heritage gardeners who appreciate vegetables with genuine historical significance.
Advantages
- +Attracts: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
- +Wildlife value: It serves as a host plant for butterflies, moths, flies, sawflies and beetles.
- +Edible: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Onions
Repel cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles that commonly attack brassicas
Garlic
Deters cabbage loopers and aphids while improving soil health
Dill
Attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize cabbage worms and aphids
Lettuce
Acts as living mulch, conserving soil moisture and maximizing garden space
Spinach
Complements root depth and nutrient uptake without competing directly
Nasturtiums
Trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, draws pests away from kohlrabi
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and general garden pests while attracting beneficial insects
Celery
Repels cabbage white butterflies and other brassica pests
Keep Apart
Tomatoes
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt kohlrabi growth
Pole Beans
Can shade kohlrabi and compete for nitrogen in soil
Strawberries
May inhibit brassica growth and attract slugs that damage young kohlrabi
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168424)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, good bolt tolerance
Common Pests
Flea beetles, cabbage worms, aphids
Diseases
Clubroot, black rot, downy mildew