Kohlrabi
Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes
Kohlrabi is a cool-season cabbage relative grown for its crisp, swollen above-ground stem. It is a leafy garden vegetable in the cabbage family.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Even, consistent moisture
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Kohlrabi is a cultivar group of Brassica oleracea—the same species as cabbage, broccoli, and kale—selected for a bulbous, swollen stem rather than a head or flower. The name means "cabbage-turnip" in German.
It grows quickly in cool weather and comes in pale green and striking purple forms, with the rounded above-ground stem the dominant feature.
How to identify it
- A rounded, bulb-like swollen stem sitting above the soil, pale green or purple
- Long-stalked, blue-green cabbage-like leaves radiating from the bulb in a tuft
- Smooth bulb surface with leaf scars, 2-4 in across when mature
- Short overall stature, under 1 ft, with the bulb the dominant feature
- Crisp white flesh inside the rounded bulb
Care & growing
Light: Full sun.
Water: Steady, even moisture is key—irregular watering makes bulbs woody and split.
Soil: Fertile, well-drained loam high in organic matter; pH 6.0-7.5.
Temperature: Cool-season crop (40-75°F); tolerates light frost, bolts in heat.
Feeding: Moderate nitrogen feed supports steady bulb growth.
Propagation: Direct-sow or transplant seedlings; the bulb reaches usable size at 2-3 in before it turns fibrous.
Habitat & origin
Kohlrabi was developed in Europe from wild cabbage and has been documented since at least the 16th century. It is especially popular in Germany, Eastern Europe, and across Asia.
A hardy garden vegetable, it grows best in the cool conditions of spring and fall in temperate regions worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Is purple kohlrabi different from green?
Only the skin color differs; the flesh of both is white, and the plants are otherwise the same.
How big does a kohlrabi bulb get?
The swollen stem typically reaches 2-4 inches across, sitting above the soil with leaf stalks radiating from it.
What does the kohlrabi plant look like?
It forms a low rosette under a foot tall, with a rounded bulb-like swollen stem above the soil and long-stalked blue-green cabbage-like leaves.
What growing conditions does kohlrabi need?
It is a cool-season plant that prefers full sun, fertile well-drained soil, and steady, even moisture; it tends to bolt in heat.
Kohlrabi guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Kohlrabi.
