Brussels sprouts are one of those vegetables that you either love or hate; it seems like there is no in-between. I’m on the love end of the spectrum, and I’ve tried growing several different Brussels sprouts varieties to see which ones I like the most.
Over the years, I’ve tried growing long and short growing varieties, along with red and green Brussels sprouts. Each variety offers something different, like a unique flavor or a compact growth size that grows better in different situations.
I put together a list of the best Brussels sprouts varieties that you might want to grow in your garden this year.
13 Best Brussels Sprouts Varieties
If you want to grow Brussels sprouts this year, make sure you try some of these delicious varieties in your garden. Whether you want a fast or slow-maturing plant, you’ll find something on this list that works for your garden.
1. Catskill
One of the most common Brussels sprouts varieties is ‘Catskill,’ an heirloom plant developed in 1941 by Arthur White. It might be newer than other varieties in terms of being an heirloom, but ‘Catskill’ has shown that it’s worth all the hype. It produces extra-large sprouts, typically measuring two inches, on a compact plant that grows 24 inches tall.
You never have to worry that ‘Catskill’ Brussels will topple over – a phenomenon called lodging. These stems are THICK and robust; they look like a baseball bat. If that’s not enough to convince you to give Catskill a try, then the rich flavor will.
These sprouts are great for freezing, and while you might not have the largest harvest, these sprouts will taste delicious on your dinner plate. Expect your plants to take 90-110 days to mature.
2. Churchill
‘Churchill’ is one of the most popular hybrid Brussels sprouts varieties that grow fast and matures early. Gardeners often struggle to grow this veggie because, as the weather gets hot, the plant stops growing. Springtime and fall are the two ideal times for growing Brussels sprouts, but that doesn’t always line up with the number of days you have available for growth.
That’s where ‘Churchill’ shines.
This plant has high yields in only 90 days. Expect for each plant to bring close to a pound of sprouts.
3. Dagan
‘Dagan’ is a variety of Brussels sprouts that grow straight and they look beautiful when harvested. These plants produce bright green, firm sprouts that hold up well after harvesting. It’s a hybrid plant that takes up to 100 days to reach maturity, but don’t worry if you don’t harvest them quickly. The sprouts stay well on the plant.
One reason that gardeners like growing ‘Dagan’ Brussels sprouts is that the buds are attached to the plant with a small nub. Snapping them off the plant is easy, and you don’t have to risk damaging the plants or the sprouts. It also means you don’t have to trim too much when cooking the sprouts.
4. Diablo
Here is another hybrid plant, which reaches up to two feet tall and produces smooth, medium-sized heads. These sprouts are delicious, and the plants produce a large harvest. These buds have a nutty yet sweet taste that is even better if you let them go through a frost before harvesting.
One downside to growing ‘Diablo’ Brussels sprouts is that they are slow to grow and take close to 110 days to reach maturity. It’s best to grow them in the fall because chances are you won’t have enough time to harvest them in the spring before hot weather hits.
5. Green Gems
The name ‘Green Gems’ perfectly describes these little sprouts, which are 1/2 in diameter. This plant produces small, emerald green sprouts with a beautiful yellow interior when cut open.
You might wonder why you would want to grow a plant that makes such small sprouts. The reason is – the flavor.
For those who aren’t the biggest fan of eating Brussels sprouts, these are delicious. They have a buttery, earthy flavor; all you have to do is spread some oil, salt, and pepper over the top. So delicious!
Another reason to add ‘Green Gems’ to your garden plans is that the plant only takes 85 days to reach maturity. That’s one of the shortest maturing times out of all the Brussels sprout varieties. The plant grows up to three feet tall, but they often need to be staked to keep them upright.
6. Gustus
‘Gustus’ is the new kid on the block when it comes to Brussels sprouts varieties, but despite being a newer hybrid, gardeners are raving about this plant. It produces medium-sized sprouts on a two-foot-tall stalk, and the buds are dense, sweet, and a dark green color.
Make sure you mark your calendars because ‘Gustus’ takes around 100 days to reach maturity. They store well in the refrigerator compared to other varieties, and you’ll find their flavor delightful.
7. Hestia
‘Hestia’ is one of the only one of two Brussels sprout varieties to earn the All-America Selections award (it won in 2015), so you know that this is an amazing plant. This variety produces bright green sprouts with a buttery yellow interior.
One difference between ‘Hestia’ and other varieties is that these sprouts don’t need to experience a frost to have the sweet flavor. Typically, it’s recommended that you leave your sprouts on your plant until a frost happens, causing them to develop a sweeter taste.
While a frost will definitely make them beyond perfect, it’s not necessary. You’ll need to wait 95 days for these plants to mature.
8. Jade Cross
If you’re looking for smaller-sized sprouts, ‘Jade Cross’ is a great choice because the sprouts are anywhere from half an inch to an inch wide. They’re more like a button, but the small size helps them maintain their flavor better and store better in the freezer. Their size makes them ideal for freezing.
‘Jade Cross’ was the first Brussels sprout variety to get the All-America Selections award in 1959, and it’s continued to be a favorite since then.
This is a hybrid plant that is known for disease resistant with a compact growth habit. Unlike other varieties, it matures quickly, only taking 85 days to reach harvesting time.
9. Long Island Improved
Most Brussels sprouts varieties handle cold weather fine, but if you live in a cold climate, consider growing ‘Long Island Improved.’ This variety thrives with frost and cold weather; it helps to improve the flavor of the sprouts.
Chances are if you buy Brussels sprouts in the store, you’re eating Long Island Improved sprouts. The plants produce medium-sized sprouts that have a nutty, earthy, buttery flavor that matures in 100 days.
10. Nautic
Hands down, one of the most prolific varieties of Brussels sprouts is ‘Nautic.’ A single plant produces over a pound of vegetables, so if you plant several of these, you’ll have enough Brussels sprouts to last you an entire year.
‘Nautic’ takes up to 120 days to reach maturity, and when you harvest the plants, you’ll enjoy sweet, tender sprouts that store well for months to come. It’s a disease-resistant variety that has well-spaced sprouts on the stalk, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
11. Octia
Most Brussels sprout varieties take a long time to reach harvesting time, but ‘Octia’ is an early maturing plant that only takes 78-80 days. The plants produce small, one-inch sprouts, and the yields are large considering the size of this plant.
Be aware that you should top this plant. Topping increases the harvest size, and it’s when you cut off the topmost tip of the plant to encourage the plant to put more energy into developing larger sprouts.
12. Redarling
There aren’t too many red Brussels sprout varieties available on the market, but one of the most popular choices is called ‘Redarling.’ These sprouts hold their color well when cooked, and they look so nice on your dinner plate.
‘Redarling’ is a hybrid cultivar that takes a long time to mature than other varieties because of its deep, rich color. The purple sprouts take up to 145 days to mature, and it’s best to grow these plants in cooler growing zones.
13. Tasty Nuggets
Who doesn’t love the name of this Brussels sprouts variety? It’s a hybrid that produces small, one-inch, button-sized sprouts that are full of flavor. They’re like little veggie nuggets that grow on compact, two-foot-tall plants, known for being ideal container garden plants.
‘Tasty Nuggets’ are known for more than just being delicious, bite-sized veggies. This is the fastest maturing plant out of all the Brussels sprout varieties on this list. The plants mature in 78 days, and that means even gardeners in. warmer climates can grow these plants.
