How to Grow Brussels Sprouts

Intermediate

Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera

A cool-season brassica that produces small cabbage-like heads along a thick central stalk. Flavour improves dramatically after frost. Needs a long growing season — start early indoors for a fall or early winter harvest.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity
80–110 days
typical
Per Square Foot
1
Plant Spacing
46 cm / 18"
Sun
6+ hours
Water
1.5" / 38 mm
Fertilization
heavy feeder

Growing Notes

Start indoors 16–20 weeks before first fall frost. Transplant 12–14 weeks before first frost. Remove lower leaves as sprouts develop. Harvest from the bottom up when sprouts are 2–3 cm diameter and firm. Topping the plant 4 weeks before harvest speeds maturation.

Varieties & Cultivars

5 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

1959 AAS winner

(1)
Jade Cross
85–100 days Hybrid

uniform blue-green sprouts; excellent disease resistance; widely adapted; plants stand well without staking

Height
24–30" (61–76 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.6 oz (17 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
4 years

Canadian variety

(1)
Junikan McBride's
95–110 days Open-Pollinated

excellent flavour; cold improves taste; good for fall/winter harvest

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.6 oz (18 g)
Support
none
Harvest
continuous
USDA Zones
3–9
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Compact dwarf plant

(1)
Long Island Improved
80–100 days Open-Pollinated

cold-hardy; ideal for small gardens and raised beds; reliable heavy producer

Height
18–24" (46–61 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.5 oz (15 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–9
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Early maturing

(1)
Earlibrite
90–100 days Open-Pollinated

small firm sprouts; good flavour; good for shorter seasons

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.5 oz (15 g)
Support
none
Harvest
continuous
USDA Zones
3–9
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Striking deep red-purple sprouts

(1)
Red Bull
100–110 days Hybrid

sweet nutty flavour; holds well on stalk; beautiful ornamental appeal

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.6 oz (16 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
4 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside brussels sprouts, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Dill : Dill attracts parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms on brussels sprouts
Garlic : Garlic deters aphids and cabbage worms from brussels sprouts
Thyme : Thyme repels cabbage worms and provides ground cover
Beet : Beets loosen soil with taproots and add minerals; complementary root depths
Spinach : Spinach provides living mulch between tall brussels sprouts stalks
Celery : Celery deters cabbage white butterflies from brussels sprouts
Onion : Onion scent deters cabbage moths and aphids from brussels sprouts
Sage : Sage repels cabbage moths and flea beetles

Keep Apart

Tomato : Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients; tomatoes attract shared pests
Strawberry : Brassicas and strawberries compete for nutrients and attract shared pests
Pepper : Peppers and brassicas compete for nutrients and attract shared pest pressure

Square Foot Spacing

1 per sq ft

12" apart (entire square)

View full spacing chart →

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