Brussels Sprouts Varieties

With over 110 varieties available, Brussels sprouts offer something for every garden and palate. These miniature cabbage-like vegetables have experienced a culinary renaissance in recent years, moving from the most-hated vegetable list to becoming a staple on restaurant menus nationwide.

They’re super versatile in the kitchen and come in tons of different types. You can grow tiny ones in pots, or tall ones that shoot up like crazy. The colors are cool too – from deep green to purple-red, which makes your garden look way more awesome.

Here are some standout varieties worth considering, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting your vegetable-growing journey:

Cascade

A dependable plant that grows evenly and rarely gets sick. Grows well in zones 4-9 without much care. All plants grow at the same rate, so you know when to pick them. The dark green color and compact shape mean it’s healthy and tasty, which gardeners and farmers like. It doesn’t get common plant diseases, so you can use fewer chemicals if growing organic. Keeps growing even when weather is bad.

Long Island Improved

This common heirloom type grows medium-sized heads with a nutty, earthy, buttery taste. It handles frost very well and grows fully in about 100 days. According to Gardener’s Path, it’s known for how well it can handle cold weather.

Catskill

An heirloom developed in 1941, featuring extra-large two-inch heads on a compact 24-inch stalk. The robust stem supports about 10 well-spaced sprouts, which helps prevent disease through good airflow. Matures in 90-110 days. Royal Horticultural Society notes that well-spaced varieties like this offer better disease resistance.

Churchill

A fast-growing hybrid that develops early, making it ideal for regions where spring heat might arrive unexpectedly. Produces high yields of over 14 ounces per plant and matures in just 90 days. Ideal for gardeners concerned about heat affecting their crop.

Dagan

Grows straight and tall with bright green, firm buds that hold up well after harvest. The sprouts attach to the stalk with a tiny nub, making them easy to harvest. Matures in 100 days.

Diablo

A reliable hybrid that grows two feet tall and produces smooth, solid, medium-sized heads. When hit by frost, the buds turn incredibly nutty and sweet. Slow to mature at around 110 days. The RHS notes that frost exposure enhances flavor in Brussels sprouts.

Green Gems

These one-and-a-half-inch buds have a vibrant emerald color with a cheerful yellow interior. They offer a buttery, earthy flavor and are ready to harvest in just 85 days.

Gustus

A newer hybrid with medium-sized, evenly spaced sprouts on a 24-inch stalk. The dense, sweet buds have a lovely dark green color and take 100 days to mature. Part of the next generation of varieties focused on improved flavor profiles.

Hestia

One of only two Brussels sprout varieties to win the All-America Selections award (2015). Features bright green buds with a buttery yellow interior that grow uniformly on short stalks that resist tipping over. Matures in 95 days.

Jade Cross

The first Brussels sprout to win the All-America Selections award (1959). Produces deep green, tiny sprouts (half-inch to one inch) that are ideal for freezing. Disease-resistant and matures quickly in about 85 days.

Mighty

Picture-perfect deep green sprouts with a robust, nutty flavor in a small, one-inch package. Grows evenly-spaced on the stalk and offers resistance to mildew, leaf spot, and Alternaria. Ready to harvest in 100 days. Disease resistance is a key feature highlighted by modern breeders.

Nautic

A high-yielding hybrid that produces around 12 ounces per plant. The well-spaced heads promote good air circulation to help avoid disease problems, particularly powdery mildew. Matures in 120 days.

Nelson

Dark green buds with a surprisingly intense, sweet, nutty flavor and a cream-colored interior. Resists lodging but is susceptible to Alternaria. Matures early in 90 days.

Octia

One of the earliest-maturing varieties at just 78 days. Produces small, uniform one-inch heads that are well-spaced on stalks up to 36 inches tall. Among the varieties bringing Brussels sprouts into modern gardens.

Tasty Nuggets

As the name suggests, these sweet one-inch buttons pack a ton of flavor. Produces a large harvest on compact 24-inch plants and matures in just 78 days. Particularly good for gardeners in warmer zones due to its quick maturation.

Rubine

A popular red variety that adds visual interest to the garden and plate. According to Fairbanks Seeds, specialty varieties like this expand the culinary possibilities of Brussels sprouts.

Redarling

Features striking purple-red heads that grow one and a half inches across and maintain their color when cooked. Takes longer to mature at 140-145 days and is best suited to cooler growing zones. The RHS notes that colored varieties are increasingly popular with home gardeners.

Hybrid Varieties

Seed companies keep developing better Brussels sprouts.

Syngenta has created different types for early, middle, and late growing seasons in Australia, so farmers can grow them all year. Other varieties are helping to resist a Brussel disease called clubroot.

Bejo also makes Brussels sprouts for early and late harvests. They focus on making plants that grow evenly, produce well, mature quickly, and have good quality and taste.

There’s even a mix of Brussels sprouts and kale called Flower Sprout, which has twice as much vitamin B6 and C as regular Brussels sprouts.

What is the Best Type of Brussels sprout?

Whether you’re growing Brussels sprouts to sell or just for yourself, you can find a type that works for you. Some kinds like ‘Tasty Nuggets’ and ‘Octia’ grow quickly, while others like ‘Redarling’ the world of Brussels sprouts come in different flavors, sizes, colors, and growing styles.

By selecting the right variety for your climate and preferences, you can enjoy these nutritional powerhouses fresh from your garden. And what could be better than serving up your own homegrown Brussels sprouts, perhaps as the centerpiece of a holiday feast, knowing they’ve been cultivated with care from seed to table?