Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
Broccoli is a cool-season brassica usually raised as a transplant. It needs more room than compact leafy crops, regular moisture, and a planting window that allows heads to develop outside periods of sustained heat.
Plant family Brassicaceae · Also called calabrese
Explore this profile
Jump directly to the growing detail you need.
Start early for cool conditions.
Broccoli is commonly started indoors 4–6 weeks before the last spring frost. Seed is sown about 1.3 cm deep, with germination generally occurring within 5–10 days under suitable conditions.
Transplants can move outdoors from roughly two weeks before to two weeks after the frost date. The crop tolerates light frost, but gradual hardening helps indoor-grown plants adjust to wind, brighter light, and changing temperatures.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Allow room for a broad plant.
Allow 45–60 cm between plants and about 75 cm between rows. This standard-space crop forms a broad leaf canopy before the central head is ready, so a young transplant understates its eventual footprint.
For a container, use at least 30 cm of soil depth and around 20 litres of volume per plant. Support is not normally required, but sufficient root space helps the plant remain stable as the top becomes heavier.
Core measurements
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Allow for the mature form of the selected variety.
Install support early when it is required or useful.
Support steady cool-season growth.
Broccoli prefers full sun, with six hours of direct light used as the minimum. In a warm spell, sunlight may be abundant while temperature becomes the more important limitation for a cool-season crop.
The weekly water range is 25–35 mm and the water need is classified as moderate. Aim for even moisture, particularly while the head is forming, while still allowing excess water to drain.
Sunlight
Full sun (6+ direct-sun hours/day)
Soil pH
A suitable acidity range for general growth.
Weekly water
High water need.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during establishment and harvest development.
Watch the head, not only the calendar.
Broccoli germination is relatively quick, but the 60–90 day maturity range is counted from transplanting. Indoor seed-starting time is additional when estimating the full season.
The crop is annual. The central head is the main harvest reference, although actual size and timing vary among varieties and with temperature during development.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Steady growth produces better heads; drought or heat can cause small, loose heads.
Broccoli growing questions
Is broccoli direct-sown or transplanted?
This profile treats broccoli as a transplant crop. Start seed indoors 4–6 weeks before the last spring frost and move plants outside around the frost window.
How far apart should broccoli plants be?
Allow approximately 45–60 cm between plants and about 75 cm between rows.
Can broccoli handle frost?
Broccoli is classified as tolerant of light frost, but young transplants still benefit from gradual hardening and protection during severe cold.
When does the broccoli harvest count begin?
The 60–90 day range begins at transplanting. Time spent raising seedlings indoors is not included in that number.
Profile values are crop-level planning ranges compiled from sources S1,S2,S3,S4. Local climate and variety can change actual results.
Explore another crop
Compare broccoli with other vegetables, herbs, and fruits in Crop Brief.
Browse all 50 crops