How far apart should I plant Rutabaga (swede)?

About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–45 cm (12–18 in).

Does Rutabaga (swede) need full sun?

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

How much water does Rutabaga (swede) need?

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

How cold-hardy is Rutabaga (swede)?

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 Rutabaga (swede) flower?

About 54–67 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks.

Is Rutabaga (swede) 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; raw brassicas can cause gas in pets if eaten in quantity.

What grows well with Rutabaga (swede)?

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.

Rutabaga (swede) Brassica napus var. napobrassica

Rutabaga (swede) (Brassica napus var. napobrassica) is a biennial vegetable in the Brassicaceae family, native to Hybrid of cabbage and turnip, arose in Europe (17th century). It grows 40–60 cm (16–24 in) tall and 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.

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Rutabaga (swede) at a glance

Type	Biennial vegetable
Family	Brassicaceae
Mature height	40–60 cm (16–24 in)
Mature spread	30–45 cm (12–18 in)
Spacing	20 cm (8 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	5.5–7
Cold hardiness	About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8)
Heat stress	Likely above about 24 °C (75 °F)
Flowering	about 54–67 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks
Days to maturity	About 90 days from planting
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	Moderate
Edible	Yes: roots, young leaves
Native to	Hybrid of cabbage and turnip, arose in Europe (17th century)
Common in gardens of	🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇺🇸 United States

Is Rutabaga (swede) toxic?

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

Not toxic; raw brassicas 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 Rutabaga (swede)

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 Rutabaga (swede)

How far apart should I plant Rutabaga (swede)?: About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–45 cm (12–18 in).
Does Rutabaga (swede) need full sun?: Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Rutabaga (swede) need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Rutabaga (swede)?: 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 Rutabaga (swede) flower?: About 54–67 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks.
Is Rutabaga (swede) 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; raw brassicas can cause gas in pets if eaten in quantity.
What grows well with Rutabaga (swede)?: 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).

FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions

Notes and assumptions

Harvested in its first autumn; Kc taken from the FAO-56 rutabaga entry.

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
Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes