Overview
This eye-catching cauliflower stands out with its deep purple color—a sign it’s packed with anthocyanins, natural antioxidants that support overall health. Grown for generations in the Mediterranean, it’s a flavorful heirloom rooted in both tradition and nutrition.
Conditions
For soil, use a fertile well-draining potting mix that’s tailored for vegetables. Cauliflower is a cool-weather crop - the best success is with spring and fall crops, and even winter crops where the weather is mild. For the best quality cauliflower heads, provide full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight) and consistent moisture (don’t let the topsoil become dry to the touch).
Planting
Use our grow calendar tool to find specific dates for your region! Seeds germinate in 10-21 days.
Plant indoors in starter pots or trays ~6-8 weeks before the desired transplant date. Keep soil temperature 75–80°F until germination, then reduce air temperature to about 60°F. Transition outside (harden) for 7 days before outdoor transplant. Space 12" apart for full-sized heads.
Care
Keep soil evenly moist and mulch to retain water and suppress weeds. Feed with a balanced organic fertilizer to encourage strong, healthy growth. For best results, side-dress plants with a high-nitrogen organic fertilizer 3–4 weeks after transplanting. Protect heads from intense sun by loosely tying outer leaves over the developing curds if needed.
Pests & Diseases
Watch for common brassica pests like cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles. Rotate crops yearly and remove any infected leaves to prevent disease. Row covers can help protect young plants. Here's a link to our favorite homemade insecticide soap recipe for plants!
Harvest
Keep an eye on development, harvesting when desired size is obtained but before the curds become loose, or "ricey.". Plants are usually ready to harvest in about 70-80 days after transplanting. Cut the heads off the plant with a large knife. Be sure to leave some of the leaves around the head to keep it protected.
If heads are too small but have already started to open up, they will not improve and should be harvested immediately.
