How far apart should I plant Brussels sprout?

About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–70 cm (20–28 in).

Does Brussels sprout need full sun?

Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Brussels sprout need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Brussels sprout?

It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8. As a biennial it is usually planted out after the last frost and flowers in its second year.

When does Brussels sprout flower?

About 57–69 weeks after planting, for 4–6 weeks.

Is Brussels sprout poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; like all brassicas it can cause gas in pets if eaten in quantity.

What grows well with Brussels sprout?

Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera

Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) is a biennial vegetable in the Brassicaceae family, native to Cultivar group of wild cabbage (Atlantic Europe); selected in Flanders. It grows 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) tall and 50–70 cm (20–28 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.

Plan Brussels sprout in your garden →
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Brussels sprout at a glance

Type	Biennial vegetable
Family	Brassicaceae
Mature height	60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft)
Mature spread	50–70 cm (20–28 in)
Spacing	60 cm (24 in) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	6–7.5
Cold hardiness	About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8)
Heat stress	Likely above about 27 °C (81 °F)
Flowering	about 57–69 weeks after planting, for 4–6 weeks
Days to maturity	About 150 days from planting
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	Low
Edible	Yes: axillary buds (sprouts), leaves
Native to	Cultivar group of wild cabbage (Atlantic Europe); selected in Flanders
Common in gardens of	🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France

Is Brussels sprout toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Not toxic; like all brassicas it can cause gas in pets if eaten in quantity.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Brussels sprout

Good neighbours

good With Rhubarb: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Evidence D
good With Nasturtium: Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas. Evidence C

Shared pests and diseases

Clubroot: Clubroot spores persist in soil up to 20 years; keep brassicas in a rotation. Evidence B

Questions about Brussels sprout

How far apart should I plant Brussels sprout?: About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–70 cm (20–28 in).
Does Brussels sprout need full sun?: Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Brussels sprout need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Brussels sprout?: It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8. As a biennial it is usually planted out after the last frost and flowers in its second year.
When does Brussels sprout flower?: About 57–69 weeks after planting, for 4–6 weeks.
Is Brussels sprout poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; like all brassicas it can cause gas in pets if eaten in quantity.
What grows well with Brussels sprout?: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).

RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions

Notes and assumptions

Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica
Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Kale Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Radish Raphanus sativus
Bok choy Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes
Collard greens Brassica oleracea var. viridis