Wild cabbage is an uncultivated species used to hybridize many cool-weather crops we grow today. It originated in western Europe, and it (along with several close relatives) has been used for hybridization for many centuries. Today the group includes kale, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, cabbage and kohlrabi. These crops are referred to as Cole Crops. Wild cabbage is in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). The genus name is Latin for cabbage, while the specific epithet means vegetable/herb. It can grow in a wide range of conditions but will perform best when located in full sun in nitrogen-rich soil with good drainage. Propagate by seed. The foliage of wild cabbage is fleshier and thicker than others of this species allowing the foliage to store water and nutrients. It forms a loose head of large green or blue-green leaves that are edible. They can be boiled or steamed until tender. The seeds of the wild-type species are difficult to find, but if available, the plants would make an interesting container display. Click here to see a calendar of planting schedules, time-to-harvest, and recommended spacing. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: . In locations where full sun is not provided, downy mildew can form. Some pests affecting this plant include slugs, snails, aphids, and white caterpillars. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common Cole crop diseases and other plant problems. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Annual; Cool Season Vegetable; Edible; Vegetable; Warm Season Vegetable
Life cycle
Biennial; Perennial
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Blue; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Rosulate
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed; Undulate
Leaf feel
Fleshy; Waxy
Leaf value
Edible; Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves differ in size, shape, and color depending on the cultivar. The lower leaves are stalked and fairly large with wavy margins. All, including the wild type, are thick and fleshy with a glaucous coating. Leaf stems alternate in a circle.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Edible
Flower shape
Cross
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers each have four petals and six stamens, the two outer ones being shorter than the four inner). The appear on stems each having 20-40 flowers.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green
Fruit type
Siliqua
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
> 3 inches long
Fruit detail
The fruits dry and split when ripe.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
The stem is smooth and somewhat woody.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
W. Europe
Wildlife value
It serves as a host plant for butterflies, moths, flies, sawflies and beetles.
Attracts
Butterflies; Moths; Pollinators
Play value
Attracts Pollinators; Easy to Grow; Wildlife Larval Host
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Siliqua
Edibility
The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container; Meadow; Patio; Pond; Small Space