Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, broccoli is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing broccoli.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Broccoli Belong To?
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea, var. italica) belongs to the Brassicaceae family, also known as the cabbage family.
Some of its relatives include kale, cauliflower, and radishes.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Broccoli?
The minimum container depth recommended for broccoli is 12 inches.
The container should also be a minimum of 18 inches wide.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Broccoli?
Some of broccoli's best companions are as follows:
- Celery
- Potato
- Onion
- Dill
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Mints like peppermint and spearmint
- Garlic
- Thyme
- Beet
- Nasturtium
- Marigold
- Purslane
- Cucumber
- Lettuce
- Geranium
- Chard
- Shallot
- Chamomile
- Spinach
- Orach
- Lovage
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Broccoli?
Broccoli is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with broccoli are as follows:
- Tomato
- Eggplant
- Peppers like bell pepper and jalapeño
- Squash
- Strawberry
- Asparagus
- Melons
- Corn
- Grape
- Rue
What Soil Conditions Does Broccoli Need?
Broccoli prefers fertile, moist yet well-draining, loamy soil.
How Long Does Broccoli Take to Germinate?
Broccoli takes 7-10 days to germinate at a temperature of 50-85°F.
How Much Sun Does Broccoli Need?
Broccoli grows best in full sun.
Although the plant itself may tolerate some shade such as dappled shade or part shade, it is likely to be leggy and form smaller, lower-quality heads than if it was grown in full sun. This makes sense since broccoli heads are actually a collection of flower buds, and most flowers need more sunlight to bloom than leafier plants do.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and broccoli grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Broccoli Need?
Broccoli needs 1-2 inches of water per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Broccoli?
Broccoli grows fastest in temperatures of 65-75°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some broccoli varieties are bred for fall harvests and others for warmer climates.
Most broccoli varieties are hardy to 25°F.
How Tall Does Broccoli Get?
The average height of broccoli is 1-3 feet.
Is Broccoli Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Most broccoli varieties are biennial vegetables, meaning that their life cycle spans 2 years, and they flower, produce seed, and die in their second year.
A few varieties are perennial, meaning that they live for longer than a couple years. An example of a perennial broccoli is sprouting broccoli.
Despite this, many broccolis (especially biennial varieties) are grown as annuals, meaning that they start and end their lives in the same year. This is especially true in Hardiness Zones 7 and below since most varieties are hardy to 25°F.
How Does Broccoli Reproduce?
Broccoli reproduces by seed in its second spring.
How Much Broccoli is Produced Per Plant?
Most broccolis produce 1 large head per plant. After the large head is harvested, they typically produce 3-10 smaller heads.
Can Broccoli Be Ingested?
Broccoli heads, stems, leaves, and roots are edible.
Broccoli does not have any known uses in herbal preparations.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting broccoli heads, stems, or roots.
Broccoli leaves have a waxy coating that triggers Oral Allergy Syndrome in some people, so it may be best to cook them first or avoid them altogether if you fall into that category.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of broccoli rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for broccoli here!
Broccoli is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: