How to Grow Brussels Sprouts at Home—Plus the Secret to Ensuring a Healthy Crop Each Year

Hardy and resilient, Brussels sprouts are a popular member of the Brassica family and are delicious roasted, sautéed, grilled, or shaved raw in a salad. Homegrown Brussels sprouts are the freshest you can find—you'll also reap plenty of satisfaction from watching them grow from seed to harvest. 

Want to grow these fan-favorite vegetables in your garden? We spoke with experts about when and how to plant Brussels sprouts, their care needs, tips for harvesting, and the best varieties to plant. 

When to Plant Brussels Sprouts 

Brussels sprouts grow best in cooler temperatures and are often planted in early spring or late summer/early fall. Your geographical location also plays an important role in when to plant your Brussels sprouts. "Preferred planting times can vary depending on your specific climate zone, " says Carrie Spoonemore, founder of the Seed to Spoon app. Know your hardiness zone and check seed packets to figure out which Brussels sprouts are best for your region.  

For Spring Planting

Seeds are typically sown indoors for a month or two to germinate before transplanting in spring. Typically, it's recommended to sow seeds indoors before the last frost to give your plants plenty of time to germinate and grow before being transplanted outside."You can start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your area's last expected frost date," says Spoonemore.

For Fall Planting

Transplants can be great for spring, but for fall planting, consider sowing seeds directly in your garden in mid to late summer. "I recommend transplants for spring-planted Brussels sprouts and for direct seeding, late July or early August, for fall Brussels sprouts," says Gary Pilarchik, a gardening author and expert. The warm soil of summer allows for quicker germination, he says.

How to Plant Brussels Sprouts 

These Brassicas can take up to five months from seed to harvest, depending on the variety. Some faster-growing varieties can be as short as three months, though. You'll want to consider timing, how long they'll take up space in the garden, and when you'll likely be reaping the rewards before you plant your Brussels.

Growing in the Garden

1. Sow seeds for four to eight weeks indoors before your last frost for spring planting. This will speed up germination time.
2. Once they grow to a small seedling and the last frost has passed, transplant outside.
3. Prepare the soil or raised bed by amending it with compost to add important nutrients and minerals. You can also choose a granular organic fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium instead of compost.
4. When transplanting, provide each plant ample room to grow tall and wide. "Space plants a minimum of 18 inches apart, ideally 24 inches," says Christina Chung, horticulturist, educator, and author. "Many reach over three feet tall, so staking or other support is good to prevent them from toppling over during heavy winds."

Growing in Containers

Brussels sprouts are typically grown directly in the soil. If you are limited in space and want to grow these Brassicas, you can plant them in a deep pot with one plant per container. "I recommend a 10-gallon container or bigger," says Pilarchik. These plants grow tall and take up a lot of space. Make sure there are drainage holes so water flows easily. "All containers should have drainage holes; therefore, over-watering container plants is nearly impossible," he says. "A quality potting mix should be used as it tends to hold moisture best."

Make sure to water constantly and never let the soil completely dry out. "If the potting mix dries out completely, just once, it will damage the root systems of the plants," says Pilarchik.

Care Requirements 

Provide Brussels sprouts their basic care and they'll reward you at harvest. 

Sun 

These vegetables thrive in the sun. Place them in an area of your garden that receives sunlight for most of the day. "Brussels sprouts require full sun, meaning they need at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily for optimal growth," says Spoonemore. Because these are a cooler weather crop and can take several months to grow, they may need some reprieve from the sun in hotter regions. "If you’re in a particularly warm climate, give plants afternoon shade or cover with shade cloth during high heat, intense summer days," says Emily Murphy, an expert organic gardener, rewilding educator, and author.

Temperature 

Brussels sprouts are cool-weather vegetables and thrive in cooler temperatures. "I highly recommend growing them in the cooler seasons of fall, winter, and early spring as they are extremely cold hardy and can withstand frost, snow, and temperatures as low as 22 degrees Fahrenheit," says Resh Gala, organic gardener and founder of Hundred Tomatoes LLC, and author, who prefers not growing them in the heat of the summer.

Soil 

Brussels sprouts do best in nutrient-rich soil. "They prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5," says Spoonemore. Using an amendment is an easy way to add minerals to the soil. "I like to amend with compost and top dress with straw," says Murphy.  "One percent biochar is also helpful to increase soil biodiversity and soil water holding capacity."

Water 

Brussels sprouts like living in moist soil but never waterlogged or soggy. "When watering Brussels sprouts, they need consistent moisture throughout the growing season," says Spoonemore. If you're unsure if they need water, you can do a simple test. "Stick your finger into the soil about an inch deep to check if they need water," she says. "If it feels dry, it's time to water."

Fertilizer

Brussel sprouts are known to be heavy feeders, which means they can take a lot of nutrients from the soil. Adding compost is key to ensuring the soil has ample nutrients. Some gardeners recommend using fertilizer, too. "I like to scratch in a handful of organic granular fertilizer (slow-release) into the planting hole before adding the seedling," says Gala. "Because Brussels sprouts are essentially a cluster of leaves, adding a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen at the time of planting will help promote that leafy growth." 

Harvesting Brussel Sprouts

Brussels sprouts take anywhere from 90 to 150 days from sowing seeds to harvest. Refer to your seed pack to get an idea of when they may be ready for picking. "By referring to the variety’s 'days to maturity,' you will get a better idea of when they are prime for harvest," says Chung. The plant will also provide a clue. "Ideal sprouts will be firm, tight clusters of leaves—just like mini versions of their relative, the cabbage!" Heather Kibble, homegrown sales manager for Sakata Seed America, Inc., adds that mature heads will be ping-pong ball-sized with tightly packed leaves.

Relying on the size of each sprout isn't an ideal way to gauge if they are ready for picking, though, as the size of the sprouts can range from under 1 inch to over 1.5 inches in diameter, according to Chung. You can choose to harvest the entire stalk or pick them individually as they mature. 

How to Harvest Brussel Sprouts Individually

1. Harvest from the ground up. "Start with ones at the bottom of the stem, as the upper sprouts will continue to develop and enlarge as you harvest the lower, older ones," says Chung. 
2. Next, remove any larger, yellowing leaves under the harvested area, says Chung.
3. Use a knife or your hands to pick the individual sprouts. You can either twist or snap the sprouts off the stalk with your hands or use a sharp knife to cut them off.

The Secret to Ensuring a Healthy Crop

Whichever harvesting method you choose, leave the leaf directly below the sprout attached, says Spoonemore. This allows the plant to continue producing sprouts and promotes a healthy, bountiful crop.

Common Pests and Diseases 

Brussels sprouts have their fair share of diseases and pests that like to seek refuge within the plant or feed on the leaves. One of the best ways to minimize infestations and issues is to be observant. "Watch for and treat pest issues as soon as they develop," says Kibble.

How often should you be checking your plants? "Inspecting plants three times a week will help you identify insect problems early before an infestation and address them in a timely manner," says Pilarchik.

Aphids

Aphids are tiny insects that suck on plant sap. They are typically on the underside of the leaves, so if you're not checking often, they can easily go undetected until you have an infestation. "Regularly check the leaves for aphids as they can wreak havoc on your plants," says Gala. For this reason, Chung suggests going easy with any nitrogen-based fertilizers. "Nitrogen encourages lush, vegetative growth, which becomes very attractive to these sap-sucking insects," she says. 

What can you do if you find aphids? "Spray them off your plants with a jet of water or use neem oil spray for a larger infestation," says Gala. Chung advises this daily when aphids are present. 

Cabbage Moths and Caterpillars

Cabbage moths are common pests that you've likely seen fluttering around your Brassica plants. The moths lay their eggs on the leaves, and when they hatch, the caterpillars will eat the leaves. "Check the underside of leaves for small, yellowish eggs and tiny caterpillars," says Chung. Inspect your plants in the mornings, says Murphy, for cabbage worms, the caterpillars of the cabbage white butterflies. It's the larvae that feed on the leaves.

Looking for caterpillars frequently is the best prevention method. "Regularly inspect your plants and hand-pick caterpillars, especially if their numbers are low," says Chung. If you're growing a lot of Brussels sprouts and want to protect your small seedlings, consider using netting or a row cover. "Use floating row covers or netting to cover plants early in the season or at the time of transplant," says Chung. "This physical barrier prevents adult female moths from landing on the plants and laying the eggs from which the voracious green caterpillars develop." 

Slugs

Slugs and snails are a common sighting in many gardens and the best way to get rid of them is by hand-picking them when you find them. Want to minimize slugs hanging out with your plants? "Reduce the amount of wet and decaying matter which slugs are drawn to," says Chung. 

Diseases

Brussels sprouts are prone to fungal diseases, which can occur if there is too much water on the leaves, like after a lot of rain, or if there is insufficient air circulation. "Fungal diseases, like downy mildew, black rot, and Alternaria leaf, can afflict your Brussels sprouts plant, especially if there is heavy rainfall, poor air circulation, or soil splashing back on the leaves," says Gala.

Providing Brussels sprouts ample room to grow can ensure there is adequate airflow. "To keep plants as healthy as possible, be sure to space them 12 inches to 18 inches apart at the time of planting," says Gala. Another easy remedy is to water your plants at the base of the stem and apply mulch.  "Avoid overhead watering," she says. Instead, Gala suggests watering at the soil level or using a drip irrigation system. 

Mulching can keep the soil moist and reduce fungal diseases. "Mulch with clean straw at the base of the plant to prevent soil from splashing back onto the leaves and follow good gardening practices, like sanitizing your pruners or garden tools by cleaning them after use with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol," says Gala. 

Varieties of Brussel Sprouts 

You can choose heirloom or hybrid seeds, faster-growing varieties, and even purple-hued Brussels sprouts. Below, our gardening experts share some of the varieties they like to grow.  

• Catskills: "These Brussels sprouts are a dwarf, heirloom variety that produces a high yield of large, flavorful Brussels sprouts," says Spoonemore. "This compact plant has sturdy stems that can reach 24 to 30 inches tall." 
• Dagan Organic: "This variety produces medium-sized sprouts and has tall, straight stalks that resist lodging," says Spoonemore. You can rely on this variety for an ample harvest.
• Diablo: Gala says this is a prolific variety with good disease resistance that produces medium-sized sprouts in about 110 days. 
• Redarling: Want to diversify the colors in your garden with a purple variety? Chung and Gala both recommended this one. "The plant takes a little longer to grow, around 145 days, and grows 2 inches tall," says Gala.
• Tasty Nugget: Don't have much room in your edible garden? "This variety matures in roughly 80 days and grows on shorter, compact plants, making it ideal for smaller spaces," says Chung.
• Red Ball: Another non-green option is a red-hued Brussels sprout. "Red Ball offers ornamental interest, though it may not yield as much as green varieties," says Chung.