VegetableBroccoli
Kailaan Broccoli
Kailaan broccoli is a Chinese heirloom vegetable that trades the chunky heads of conventional broccoli for slender, tender stalks and deep green leaves. Known by dozens of names across Asia, cai ro, gai lan, kai lan, this open-pollinated variety brings authentic flavor and texture to gardens in zones 3 through 10, ready to harvest in 60 to 69 days. It thrives in cool seasons as an annual crop, offering gardeners a genuinely different broccoli experience that's more stalk than floret.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Consistent Moisture
Growth Stats
Spacing
18
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-10
Size
?in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
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Highlights
The stalks are the star here, smooth and succulent with minimal waste compared to conventional broccoli varieties. This is a Chinese green that's been cultivated for generations, prized for both its edible shoots and nutritious leaves. Cool-season growing suits it perfectly, and you'll have harvestable plants within two months, making it efficient for short growing windows or succession planting.
Common Uses
The stalks and leaves are harvested and prepared fresh, most commonly stir-fried with garlic and oil, though they also shine in soups, noodle dishes, and as a blanched side vegetable. The tender texture means quick cooking preserves both flavor and nutritional value, making it far more efficient in the kitchen than conventional broccoli that requires longer cooking times.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your target transplant date, sowing at a depth of 1/4 inch in seed-starting mix. Keep soil moist and maintain temperatures around 60 to 70°F for consistent germination.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off for 7 to 10 days. Timing is critical, aim for soil temperatures around 55 to 65°F and plant so mature plants will grow during cool months. In spring, transplant 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost; in fall, time it so plants reach maturity before hard freezes arrive.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds in garden soil 1/4 inch deep, spacing seeds or seedlings 6 to 9 inches apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart. Keep soil consistently moist until seedlings are well-established.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting when stalks reach 6 to 8 inches tall and are still tender, typically 60 to 69 days after planting. Cut the main stalk at the base with a sharp knife, and the plant will often branch and produce secondary shoots for continued harvesting over several weeks. Leaves can also be harvested once plants are established. Harvest in the early morning when stems are most crisp, and pick regularly to encourage further branching.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Brassica oleracea var alboglabra
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Brassica
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)CAN (W)GL (W)
History & Origin
“Kailaan broccoli belongs to Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra, a distinct botanical variety that developed separately from Western broccoli breeding programs. This open-pollinated heirloom is a staple in Chinese vegetable cultivation, where it has been grown for culinary use across multiple generations and regions. The plant's many common names, spanning Chinese, Thai, and English-language cultures, reflect its wide adoption throughout Asia as a beloved green vegetable.”