Plant Database / Vegetables / Kohlrabi
Vegetables

Kohlrabi

Brassica oleracea gongylodes
Brassicaceae (Mustard)

An alien-looking swollen stem that tastes like a sweet, mild broccoli stalk. Fast and easy in cool weather.

EdibleCool-season
Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea gongylodes) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek
Sun
Full sun
Water
Even
Soil
Rich, firm
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardiness
Cool-season
Height
12 in
Spacing
6–8 in
Days to harvest
45–60

What it is

Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea gongylodes) is in the Brassicaceae (Mustard) family. An alien-looking swollen stem that tastes like a sweet, mild broccoli stalk. Fast and easy in cool weather.

How to grow it

It wants full sun, water it even, and give it rich, firm soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.5. Space plants about 6–8 in apart. Expect roughly 45–60. Cool-season.

How it's used

Kohlrabi is used: raw, roasted, slaw.

🔎 How to identify it

  • Swollen above-ground stem 'bulb'
  • Leaves on stalks from the bulb
  • Pale green or purple

Edibility

PartsBulb-stem and leaves
UsesRaw, roasted, slaw
CautionPeel the tough skin before eating raw.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.