VegetableCauliflower
Purple of Sicily Cauliflower
Heirloom Cauliflower
Purple of Sicily Cauliflower is a stunning Italian heirloom that transforms your fall or spring garden into something visually remarkable. Its vibrant purple heads weigh 2-3 pounds and contain high levels of anthocyanins, the same powerful antioxidants found in blueberries. Remarkably, this variety has been grown in the Mediterranean for centuries, yet it remains easier to cultivate than many modern white cauliflowers. You'll harvest mature heads in around 90 days from transplants, and the plant thrives in cool-season growing zones 3-9. Once cooked, the striking purple color shifts to green, revealing a sweet, delicate flavor beneath.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/cauliflower-seeds-purple-of-sicily)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Low
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Consistent Moisture
Preferred Temp60-75°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
PeriodAnnual
TypeBush
Spacing
24 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Low
Zones
3-9
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The real draw here is the combination of visual drama and practical ease. Purple of Sicily produces those jewel-toned heads that stop you mid-garden-walk, but the plant is genuinely less fussy than its white cousins. It's loaded with vitamins and minerals, naturally insect repellent, and frost-hardy enough to push into shoulder seasons where other cauliflowers struggle. The heads hold their compact, tight form at harvest, around 6-8 inches across, and store well for several days when kept cool and humid.
Common Uses
This cauliflower shines in preparations that highlight its sweet, delicate flavor and unique texture. Steamed whole or cut into florets, it brings both visual interest and nutritional density to the plate. It works beautifully mashed as a low-carbohydrate, low-calorie substitute for traditional mashed potatoes, a practical application for modern kitchens while honoring its Mediterranean roots. The heads also hold up well to pickling and freezing, making them suitable for preservation and extending your harvest well beyond the growing season.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Not Applicable
First Harvest
Late Summer
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors at temperatures between 65-75°F, sowing them 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Expect germination in 7-10 days. For fall harvest, begin seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before your first expected frost date; for spring harvest, time seeding so transplants are ready 6-8 weeks before your last frost date.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors once they have developed true leaves and soil temperatures have stabilized in the 50-75°F range. For fall crops, this typically occurs in mid to late summer; for spring crops, wait until after the last frost. Space transplants 18 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. Harden off seedlings gradually over 7-10 days before planting.
Harvesting
Harvest heads when they are tight, dense, and reach approximately 6-8 inches in diameter. Cut with a clean, sharp knife, leaving some protective leaves attached around the head. Remove heads as soon as they begin to open, even if undersized; do not wait for overmature florets to develop, as they will separate and take on a ricey, coarse appearance. Ideally harvest in the cool morning hours when heads are fully hydrated and crisp.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
6 – 7
Scientific Classification
Brassica oleracea L.
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Brassica
Duration
Perennial
Growth Habit
Forb/herb
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)CAN (W)GL (W)
History & Origin
“Purple of Sicily traces its lineage back centuries to the Mediterranean island itself, where select Italian seed stocks were preserved and passed down through farming families. Unlike many modern vegetable varieties that were developed in breeding programs, this heirloom arrived at contemporary gardeners through continuous cultivation and seed saving across generations of Sicilian growers. Its journey from European farm gardens to seed catalogs worldwide reflects the broader heirloom seed movement, where gardeners recognized that older varieties often outperformed newer hybrids in flavor, nutrition, and adaptability to regional conditions. Today it remains a favorite of seed companies who have trialed it extensively, choosing it specifically for its reliability in both spring and fall harvests.”