Cabbage
Brassica oleracea
Also known as: Chinese Kale
- Native to:
- France, Guam, Palau, Spain, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
MPF
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Genus:
- Brassica
- Species:
- Brassica oleracea
- USDA Symbol:
- BROL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica), Army cutworm (Euxoa auxiliaris), Armyworm moth (Pseudaletia unipuncta), beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), Beet Webworm (Loxostege sticticalis), Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata), bicolored sallow (Sunira bicolorago), Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), Bronzed Cutworm (Nephelodes minians), cabbage budworm moth (Hellula phidilealis), Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), cabbage webworm (Hellula rogatalis), Celery leaftier (Udea rubigalis), Celery Looper (Anagrapha falcifera), clandestine dart (Spaelotis clandestina), clover cutworm (Agrotis gladiaria), Common Looper Moth (Autographa precationis), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), cross-striped cabbageworm (Evergestis rimosalis), darksided cutworm (Euxoa messoria), Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), dingy cutworm (Feltia jaculifera), Euxoa infausta, Euxoa intrita, Euxoa ochrogaster, Euxoa scandens, Euxoa tessellata, Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Flame Carpet (Xanthorhoe designata), flax tortrix (Cnephasia asseclana), Giant leopard moth (Hypercompe scribonia), glassy cutworm (Apamea devastator), Gothic dart (Feltia subgothica), Greater Red Dart (Abagrotis alternata), kidney-spotted minor (Lacinipolia renigera), Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba), Lobed Looper Moth (Megalographa biloba), Mamestra curialis, nutmeg (Discestra trifolii), Old Man Dart (Agrotis vetusta), Palmetto Borer Moth (Litoprosopus futilis), Pyroderces badia, rascal dart moth (Agrotis malefida), Salt Marsh Moth (Estigmene acrea), Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum), Southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), Soybean Looper (Pseudoplusia includens), speckled cutworm (Lacanobia subjuncta), spotted eustixia moth (Eustixia pupula), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), Striped Garden Caterpillar Moth (Trichordestra legitima), Striped rice borer (Chilo suppressalis), Sutor moth (Condica sutor), Sweetpotato Armyworm (Spodoptera dolichos), underworld dart (Agrotis subterranea), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), Xanthorhoe iduata, Yellow-headed Cutworm (Apamea amputatrix), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli), zebra caterpillar moth (Melanchra picta), Checkered White (Pontia protodice), Small White (Pieris rapae)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:cross-striped cabbageworm (Evergestis rimosalis) Butterflies:Small White (Pieris rapae)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to coastal areas with moderate fertility
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 4–10 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily at soil temperatures of 45-85°F (7-29°C). Light is not required for germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.