How to Grow Purple of Palermo Cabbage

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Purple of Palermo Cabbage

Brassica oleracea var. capitata

vegetable

Purple of Palermo is a striking Italian heirloom cabbage variety prized for its deep purple-red coloring and tender, sweet flavor. This open-pollinated cultivar produces medium-sized, conical heads with a distinctive appearance and excellent taste suited to both raw and cooked applications. It's a reliable producer that stores well and offers superior flavor compared to modern commercial purple cabbage hybrids.

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Example Purple of Palermo Cabbage timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Purple of Palermo Cabbage
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Purple of Palermo Cabbage
Around Jun 26

≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple of Palermo Cabbage dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; partial shade acceptable in hot climates

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Water: Consistent moisture; 1-1.5 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Irregular watering causes splitting and tough texture. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

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Spacing: 12-18 inches between plants; 24-30 inches between rows inches

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Days to maturity: 70-100 days from transplant (depending on season and conditions)

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Planting depth: 1/4 inch for seeds; transplants at soil line (same depth as in nursery pot)

Soil

Type: Rich, well-draining loamy soil with high organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure (2-3 inches incorporated before planting) Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar) Boron (if deficient, to prevent hollow heart) Calcium (lime if pH is low)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 3-9; prefers cooler seasons and tolerates frost well

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny purple-tinged cotyledons emerge; first true leaves develop with characteristic cabbage shape. Plant is delicate and small (1-2 inches tall).

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide bright light to prevent legginess. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops 4-6 true leaves; begins establishing a stronger root system. Visible purple coloring intensifies in leaf tissue. Plant reaches 3-6 inches tall.

Begin fertilizing with diluted balanced fertilizer every 10-14 days. Harden off transplants before moving to garden. Keep consistently watered.

Leaf Development

3-4 weeks

Rapid leaf growth; plant forms dense rosette of purple leaves. Begins forming a small head center. Plant reaches 12-18 inches in diameter.

Provide consistent nitrogen through balanced fertilizer. Monitor for pests. Maintain even soil moisture and mulch around base. Side-dress with compost.

Head Formation

3-4 weeks

Center leaves wrap into a tight, conical head. Purple coloring deepens. Head becomes increasingly dense and firm. Plant reaches full size.

Reduce nitrogen to encourage heading; apply potassium-rich fertilizer if available. Continue consistent watering. Remove yellowed outer leaves to direct energy to head.

Maturity & Harvest

Mature heads hold well for 2-3 weeks in field

Head reaches full size (3-5 lbs typically), feels very firm to gentle pressure, and displays deep purple-red coloring. Outer leaves may show light purple veining.

Harvest when firm; can be stored in cool conditions for weeks. Leave 4-5 outer protective leaves on head. Can leave in ground longer in cool seasons if protected from freezing.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beets Chamomile Dill Garlic Onions Potatoes Sage Spinach Thyme

Avoid planting near:

Broccoli Cauliflower Fennel Kohlrabi Other brassicas (in same season/area) Strawberries Tomatoes

Common Pests

Use row covers; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; hand-pick caterpillars; encourage parasitic wasps
Bt spray; neem oil; hand-pick; maintain crop rotation; remove crop debris
Row covers on young plants; diatomaceous earth; kaolin clay spray; reflective mulches
Hand-pick and crush egg clusters; row covers; encourage beneficial insects; remove crop residue
Crop rotation (3-4 years away from brassicas); lime soil to raise pH; remove infected plants immediately; use resistant varieties if available
Use disease-free seeds; practice crop rotation; remove infected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering

Uses

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Raw & Cooked Preparation

Culinary

Purple of Palermo's tender leaves make it excellent sliced raw in slaws and salads, or cooked in stir-fries, braises, and soups. Its sweet, mild flavor and lower sulfur content compared to green cabbage make it ideal for delicate preparations. [source]

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Fermentation & Pickling

Culinary

The firm structure holds well during lacto-fermentation to make sauerkraut and kimchi. The purple pigment creates beautiful, deeply colored fermented vegetables with probiotic benefits. [source]

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Anti-inflammatory & Antioxidant Properties

Medicinal

Purple cabbage is rich in anthocyanins and glucosinolates, compounds with documented anti-inflammatory and potential cancer-preventive properties. Regular consumption supports digestive and cardiovascular health. [source]

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Natural Dye & pH Indicator

Household

The deep purple pigment can be extracted to create a natural dye for textiles or used as a pH indicator that changes color in acidic/basic solutions—a classic kitchen science experiment. [source]

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Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support

Wildlife

When allowed to bolt and flower, Purple of Palermo produces small yellow flowers that attract bees and beneficial insects. Letting some plants flower supports garden ecosystem health. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest when heads are firm and fully colored, typically 70-100 days after transplanting. Cut heads at base with a sharp knife, leaving 4-5 outer protective leaves attached. For storage, keep in cool (32-40°F), humid conditions; can last 3-4 months. Outer leaves protect inner quality. Can harvest outer leaves from immature heads and allow center to develop further for extended harvest.

Fun Facts

🌱 Purple of Palermo is an open-pollinated Italian heirloom variety originating from Sicily, prized by seed savers for its stability and flavor consistency across generations.
🌱 The purple color comes from anthocyanins—the same pigments that color blueberries and red wine—which intensify in cool weather and can even develop on the outer leaves after frost.
🌱 Unlike many modern purple cabbage hybrids, Purple of Palermo has a distinctly sweet, mild flavor with less of the sulfurous compounds that make cabbage smell strong when cooked, making it more palatable to many people.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Compost Cultivar Full Sun Heirloom Hybrid Mulch Open-Pollinated Partial Shade Transplant True Leaves

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