Purple Savoy Cabbage Seeds — Heirloom | Early Savoy With Green Crinkled Heads & Purple-Red Leaf Margins, Very Cold Tolerant | 61 Days
Purple Savoy (Brassica oleracea) is an early savoy cabbage that earns its place in the garden twice over — first as one of the most visually striking brassicas available, with green crinkled savoy heads edged in purple to deep red on the leaf margins, and second as a genuinely sweet, cold-tolerant variety that performs best when fall-sown and harvested after cool temperatures have intensified its flavor. Suitable for fresh eating, cooking, and storage. ~6,500 seeds per ounce; 1.0 g / 200+ seeds per packet. 61 days to maturity.
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Botanical name: Brassica oleracea
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Days to maturity: 61 days
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Head type: Early savoy — crinkled, textured leaves
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Head color: Green with purple to deep red leaf margins
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Flavor: Sweet — intensifies after cool temperatures
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Cold tolerance: Very cold tolerant — excellent fall and winter crop
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Best season: Fall (spring also possible)
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Storage: Good — suitable as a storage cabbage
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Packet size: 2g / ~400+ Seeds
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Sowing depth: ¼ inch
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Plant spacing: 18–24 inches; rows 24–36 inches
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Light: Full sun to partial shade
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USDA Zones: 3–12
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Type: Heirloom, open-pollinated, non-GMO, annual
Why Fall Sowing Works Best
Purple Savoy is very cold-tolerant and actually improves in flavor after exposure to cool temperatures — the cold converts starches to sugars, deepening the natural sweetness. Fall-sown plants also develop more vivid purple-red coloring on the leaf margins as temperatures drop, making autumn harvests both better-tasting and more visually striking than spring crops. For most climates, sow in late summer (6–8 weeks before first frost) for a fall harvest. Spring sowing is possible, but fall is the preferred season for this variety.
Kitchen Uses
The sweet, tender savoy leaves work well raw and cooked. The crinkled texture holds dressings and sauces better than smooth-leaved cabbages — making it excellent for slaws and salads where the dressing needs to cling. Braise whole leaves with butter, garlic, and white wine for a simple side. Add shredded leaves to soups and stews in the final minutes of cooking. Stir-fry with sesame oil and soy sauce. The purple-edged leaves make a visually striking addition to any dish. Stores well in a cool location for several weeks after harvest.
Growing Notes
For fall harvest: direct sow or start 6–8 weeks indoors before the first frost; transplant outdoors in late summer. For spring harvest: start 4–6 weeks before last frost and transplant outdoors after hardening off. Sow ¼ inch deep in fertile, well-draining, consistently moist soil. Space plants 18–24 inches apart in rows 24–36 inches apart. Water consistently; mulch around the base to retain moisture and keep soil cool. Feed with balanced organic fertilizer once or twice during the season. Harvest when heads feel firm and solid — cut at the base with a sharp knife.
Pest & Disease Management
Common pests include cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, and slugs. Use floating row covers or fine netting to exclude moths and caterpillars. Companion plant with nasturtiums as trap crops and dill or onions as pest deterrents. Practice crop rotation — avoid planting brassicas in the same bed more than once every 5–6 years to reduce clubroot pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Purple Savoy different from standard savoy cabbage?
Purple Savoy has the same crinkled, textured savoy leaves as standard savoy cabbage, but with distinctive purple to deep red coloring on the leaf margins. The color intensifies in cool temperatures, making fall-harvested heads more vivid than spring crops. The flavor is sweet — comparable to standard savoy but with the added visual appeal of the purple edging.
Can Purple Savoy be used as a storage cabbage?
Yes. It stores well in a cool, dry location for several weeks after harvest. The variety is noted for good storage quality, in addition to its ornamental appeal and fresh-eating flavor.
Is this variety suitable for containers?
Yes, in large containers — minimum 12–15 inches deep and 18 inches wide per plant. Use rich, well-draining potting mix and water consistently, as containers dry out faster than garden beds.
Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden's success.
