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Brussels Sprouts

Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera

VegetablesFrost Hardy

Slow-growing brassica producing miniature cabbage-like sprouts along a tall stalk. Flavor sweetens after frost.

Overview

SunFull Sun
WaterMediumCalculate watering amount
Height60–100 cm
Spread60 cm
Spacing60 cm
Row Spacing75 cm
Germination5–10 days
To Harvest85–130 days

Companion Planting

Bad Companions

StrawberryTomato

Toxicity

SeverityNon-toxic

Non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats; however, the isothiocyanates in Brussels sprouts can cause gas and digestive upset in pets if consumed in large quantities.

Planting Tips

LocationFull sun with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily; prefers cool weather and tolerates light frost.
SoilFertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost, pH around 6.5-7.0; firm soil helps support tall stems.
Sowing Depth1.5 cm
Planting Depth5 cm
WateringProvide 2.5-4 cm of water per week at the base of plants using drip irrigation or a soaker hose to keep foliage dry.

1 cm of water per m² equals 10 liters. Use the Watering Calculator for exact amounts.

FertilizingApply balanced fertilizer at planting and side-dress with nitrogen fertilizer at 4 and 8 weeks after transplanting; stop nitrogen once sprouts begin forming.

Care Tip: Mulch with a 7-8 cm layer to retain moisture and suppress weeds; remove lower yellowing leaves to improve air circulation and direct energy to sprout development.

Common Pests

Cabbage Aphids

Symptoms: Dense colonies of gray-green insects on leaves and sprouts, sticky honeydew residue, curling or yellowing leaves, and sooty mold growth.

Treatment: Blast colonies off with a strong water spray; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the evening to avoid harming beneficial insects.

Prevention: Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and parasitic wasps; use floating row covers at transplanting and remove plant debris after harvest.

Cabbage Worms

Symptoms: Ragged holes chewed in leaves, green caterpillars visible on foliage, and dark frass (droppings) on leaves and sprouts.

Treatment: Hand-pick caterpillars and destroy them; spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) which specifically targets caterpillars without harming beneficial insects.

Prevention: Cover plants with fine mesh or floating row covers to block the cabbage white butterfly from laying eggs; inspect undersides of leaves regularly.

Flea Beetles

Symptoms: Tiny round "shotgun" holes scattered across leaves; heavy damage can kill young seedlings and transplants.

Treatment: Dust plants with diatomaceous earth or apply neem oil; use sticky traps near plants to reduce populations.

Prevention: Use floating row covers on transplants; plant radishes or Chinese cabbage nearby as trap crops to divert beetles away from Brussels sprouts.

Common Diseases

Clubroot

Symptoms: Swollen, distorted roots causing wilting and stunted growth; leaves yellow and plants fail to thrive despite adequate watering.

Treatment: No chemical cure exists; remove and destroy infected plants including surrounding soil immediately to limit spread.

Prevention: Lime soil to raise pH above 7.0; practice a 4-year crop rotation for brassicas and ensure good drainage to discourage the soilborne pathogen.

Downy Mildew

Symptoms: Yellow to brown spots on upper leaf surfaces with fuzzy grayish-purple mold on undersides; leaves may wither and die.

Treatment: Remove and destroy affected leaves; apply copper-based fungicide or neem oil to remaining foliage.

Prevention: Space plants adequately for air circulation; use drip irrigation instead of overhead watering and rotate crops annually.

Black Rot

Symptoms: V-shaped yellow lesions at leaf margins that turn brown or black; leaf veins darken and plants may lose vigor.

Treatment: Remove infected leaves immediately and destroy them; apply copper fungicide to limit bacterial spread.

Prevention: Use certified disease-free seed; avoid overhead watering, rotate brassica crops on a 3-4 year cycle, and sanitize garden tools between plants.