1. Belstar
‘Belstar’ is a hybrid variety that is known for growing well in the south in the winter.
With six-inch blue-green heads that reach maturity in about 65 days, this crop can be grown for harvest in both the spring and the fall.
Compact and heat-tolerant, this variety produces plenty of side shoots after the initial crowns are picked.
You can find seeds available in a variety of packet sizes at High Mowing Seeds.
2. Burgundy
‘Burgundy’ is a hybrid sprouting type that grows 24 to 30 inches tall with a spread of about 24 inches.
It matures in roughly 40 days after transplanting, producing a small central cluster followed by abundant side shoots.
The florets are a striking deep purple with pale green stems, adding both color and flavor to the harvest. Tender and mild, they’re excellent fresh in salads or lightly cooked.
You can find this cultivar in bundles of six plants available at Burpee.
3. ButterStem
‘ButterStem’ is a compact hybrid sprouting type that grows about 14 to 16 inches tall and wide.
It forms a small, loose central cluster in about 85 days, then continues to produce numerous slender side shoots for a long harvest.
Both the florets and the buttery-yellow stems are tender and sweet, excellent for quick cooking in stir-fries, roasting, or steaming.
You can find ‘ButterStem’ seeds in packets of 50 or pick up bundles of six plants at Burpee.
4. Calabrese
‘Calabrese’ is an heirloom variety, and a prime selection for Zones 3 to 10. It’s an old Italian type that produces medium to large green heads.
This variety matures in about 65 days and is renowned for its prolific sprouting side shoots following the first harvest.
‘Calabrese’ seeds are available from Eden Brothers in packages of 500 seeds, one ounce, quarter-pound, or one pound.
5. Covina
‘Covina’ is a hybrid heading broccoli that matures in about 75 days.
Plants reach 24 to 30 inches tall and produce compact, tightly domed heads six to eight inches across.
It performs reliably in variable weather, tolerating both heat and cool spells, and carries resistance to Fusarium yellows with intermediate resistance to black rot and white rust.
The firm, uniform heads are ideal for harvesting in late summer or fall and are excellent steamed, roasted, or frozen for later use.
You can find ‘Covina’ seeds available in a variety of packet sizes at High Mowing Organic Seeds.
6. Destiny
‘Destiny’ is a hybrid that has been bred for exceptional heat tolerance in Zones 7 to 11. It produces small to medium green heads tinged with purple in 70 to 75 days.
‘Destiny’ seeds are available from True Leaf Market in quantities of 15 or 1000.
7. Di Ciccio
This is an Italian heirloom suited to Zones 3 to 10 that produces small to medium blue-green heads of non-uniform maturity.
This means that plants will produce heads at different rates, which is nice for a home garden.
Expect to see your first mature heads in as little as 50 days, with more to follow from energetic side shoots.
‘Di Ciccio’ seeds are available from Eden Brothers in packages of various sizes.
8. Eastern Magic
This hybrid was tailored for the colder northeastern regions of the US and Canada, and does well in both the spring and the fall. It produces very large blue-green crowns with superb flavor.
‘Eastern Magic’ also remarkably heat tolerant, allowing those in the colder regions to extend their growing season into the summer. It’s a fast grower that matures in 60 to 65 days.
Burpee sells packets of 100 seeds as well as live plants.
9. Fiesta
‘Fiesta’ is a reliable hybrid heading broccoli that matures in about 65 to 75 days.
Plants are compact and produce uniformly tight, dome-shaped heads approximately six to seven inches across.
This cultivar performs well in both warm days and cool nights, making it adaptable for spring and fall growing, while offering good resistance to Fusarium yellows, black rot, and white rust.
The firm, flavorful heads are ideal for fresh meals or freezing for later use.
You can find ‘Fiesta’ seeds available at High Mowing Organic Seeds.
10. Marathon
‘Marathon’ is a hearty heading broccoli hybrid that reaches 24 to 30 inches tall with a 40- to 45-inch spread.
It forms firm, dome-shaped heads about six inches wide in roughly 70 to 75 days.
Exceptionally cold-tolerant and adaptable, it performs well in both spring and fall plantings, often overwintering in milder climates.
The dense, deep-green heads hold their shape when harvested, perfect for steaming or freezing.
You can find seeds available at Burpee.
11. Montebello
A vigorous sprouting type, ‘Montebello’ is a hybrid between broccoli and Chinese sprouting that reaches about 28 to 30 inches tall with a 20 to 24 inch spread.
Reaching maturity in roughly 75 to 80 days from transplant, this cultivar produces a modest central floret cluster followed by lots of tender side shoots for prolonged harvest.
The stems and florets are exceptionally sweet and buttery.
This broccolini-like plant thrives through warm summer into cool fall and is particularly appealing in salads, stir-fries, or simply steamed.
You can find bundles of six plants for transplanting available at Burpee.
12. Purple Sprouting
This is a very cold-hardy heirloom that produces multiple small, purplish florets on each plant instead of a single large head.
Purple sprouting is suitable for Zones 2 to 11. In areas without particularly steamy summers or harsh winters, you may be able to plant in early spring, midsummer, and early fall, for three successive harvest periods.
Its ability to “winter over” and come up in early spring is a noteworthy feature.
You may serve the florets with leaves and stems attached, as all are quite tender. Also, don’t be surprised when the purple turns to green during cooking!
Heirloom purple sprouting seeds are available from Eden Brothers in package sizes ranging from one ounce to one pound.
13. Purplelicious
A tenderstem hybrid, ‘Purplelicious’ sports purple stems with green leaves and purplish-green florets, rich in antioxidants.
Ready to harvest in about 70 days, the compact, upright plants are approximately 24 inches tall with a similar spread.
‘Purplelicious’ produces a bounty of sweet, colorful side shoots, extending the harvest. The stems are versatile and flavorful, ideal for steaming, roasted, or fresh in colorful salads.
You can find six-plant bundles available at Burpee.
14. Rasmus
‘Rasmus’ is an open-pollinated heading broccoli that matures in 65 to 70 days.
Plants stand about 24 to 30 inches tall and form compact, globe-shaped heads six to eight inches wide.
After the main head is cut, the plant continues to produce side shoots, extending the harvest. The dense, uniform heads are well suited for steaming, roasting, or freezing.
Head to High Mowing Organic Seeds to find seeds in a variety of packet sizes.
15. Romanesco
This ancient Italian heirloom boasts unique chartreuse pointed spiral florets. Grow it in Zones 3 to 10, but beware – it bolts at the slightest hint of high temps.
Start seeds indoors and get them into the ground ASAP in early spring, or sow in late fall, but avoid midsummer heat.
With a gorgeous texture like sea coral, it’s no surprise that this kind has an equally interesting flavor, best described as “nutty.”
What a conversation piece for both the veggie garden and the dinner table!
Romanesco seeds are available from Burpee in packages of 320.
Find more tips on growing Romanesco here.
16. Royal Tenderette
‘Royal Tenderette’ is a sprouting broccoli hybrid that sends up multiple tender stems topped with small, tight florets.
Plants reach about 24 to 30 inches tall with a 12- to 18-inch spread and mature in approximately 50 to 60 days.
Each plant offers two to three harvests over about a month, making it ideal for fresh snacking, salads, or quick sautés.
You can find packets of 50 seeds or bundles of six plants available at Burpee.
17. Santee
‘Santee’ is a purple-sprouting broccoli hybrid that matures in about 80 to 100 days.
It grows approximately 16 to 20 inches tall and forms clusters of purple florets on sturdy green stems.
After the central buds are cut, the plant continues producing side shoots over several weeks, making it ideal for late-fall or overwinter harvests in mild climates.
The tender florets are especially vibrant in salads or quick-roasted dishes.
Find seeds available at High Mowing Organic Seeds.
18. Sun King
This cultivar is a Burpee exclusive that is known for its heat tolerance, and it can be grown successfully in Zones 1 to 11.
Known for its delicious flavor, ‘Sun King’ will produce blue-green heads of six to eight inches in diameter, with plenty of side shoots. These will reach maturity in about 70 days.
Seeds or packs of six plants are available from Burpee.
19. Waltham 29
This heirloom, which was enjoyed by Thomas Jefferson, is noted for its cold tolerance, large blue-green main heads, and proliferation of side shoots.
Perfect for Zones 3 to 10, it matures in a non-uniform fashion for continual harvesting throughout the growing season. Allow 85 days to reach maturity.
Organic ‘Waltham 29’ seeds are available from Eden Brothers in a variety of packet sizes.
In addition to the nine varieties described above, let’s look at three closely related types:
Broccoli’s Delicious Cousins
Here are a few “non-heading” relatives with which you may be familiar. They are cool weather crops that mature quickly in most growing zones.
1. Broccoli Raab
Another type of brassica altogether, broccoli raab (B. ruvo) is also known as broccoletti, Italian broccoli, rabe, and rapini.
Its dark green leaves dominate slender stems with small flower clusters, and its taste is quite bitter.
While resembling broccoli in appearance, botanically it is more closely related to turnips.
Harvest stems with leaves and budded florets in 40 to 60 days, or when they reach about six inches in height. You will be able to enjoy multiple yields throughout the growing season.
Raab seeds are available from High Mowing Seeds in a variety of packet sizes.
Read more about growing broccoli rabe here.
2. Chinese Broccoli
Heirloom Chinese broccoli (B. oleracea var. alboglabra) is also called gai-lan, jie lan, or kai-lan/kailaan.
It, too, is leaf dominant, and boasts shades of glossy blue-green to dark green. Stems are thick, florets are small, and the taste is on the bitter side.
Harvest in 50 to 70 days, or when stems reach about six inches in length and have budded florets.
Kai-lan seeds are available from High Mowing Seeds.
Find Chinese broccoli growing tips here.
3. Broccolini™
Broccolini (B. oleracea aspabroc hybrid) comes to us from Japan.
Though it’s sometimes confused for baby broccoli, it is actually a cross between B. oleracea var. italica and gai-lan (B. oleracea var. alboglabra) that makes for a sweet, thin-stemmed, dark leafy green with small florets.
The name “aspabroc” is derived from the unique flavor that resembles a mixture of asparagus and broccoli.
Expect these to reach maturity in about 60 days. Harvest when stems reach about six inches in length, and before buds open.
Broccolini seeds are available via Amazon in packages of 25.
Read more about growing broccolini here.
It’s Time to Grow Your Own
Though specific planting requirements can vary depending on your local climate, suitable cultivars are available for every region.
Fresh from the garden, this is going to be one of your favorite crops to add to stir-fries, salads, side dishes, and more.
Ready to add delicious broccoli to your garden? What variety will you choose? Share your questions and stories with us in the comments section below!
And for more advice on growing this nutritious cruciferous vegetable at home, check out our other guides:
