In addition to the classic, white cauliflower, more and more colored cauliflower varieties are becoming trendy for your own garden. The cultivation conditions are also decisive when choosing a variety.

This is how you know it from the supermarket - but cauliflower doesn't always have to be white

The numerous varieties of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) differ mainly in taste, color and harvest time. Of course, to start growing cauliflower, you first need to choose one of the many varieties. We will tell you here which types of cauliflower there are and how they differ.

Cauliflower varieties: How many are there?

One cannot give an exact number here. However, centuries of breeding suggest that there are several hundred different types and varieties of cauliflower. In general, a distinction is made between white and colored varieties.

The cauliflower wasn't painted here, it's just different varieties
  • White cauliflower varieties: These varieties are among the best-selling and cultivated varieties in Germany, both in private gardens and in commercial cultivation.
  • Colored Cauliflowers: Yellow, green, and purple cauliflowers are more nutritionally valuable than the white variety due to a higher concentration of vitamins and other compounds, and they look quite pretty too. The coloring of the varieties comes from exposure to the sun, which causes coloring substances such as carotenoids to form in the cauliflower. If the cauliflower is green, it does not mean that it is not yet ripe. Incidentally, colored varieties have a more intense taste than the classic white cauliflower varieties.

Tip: Even white cauliflower does not remain completely white in strong sunlight. So cover these varieties to prevent sunburn on cauliflower.

Colorful cauliflower is slowly becoming a trend with us too

The best types of cauliflower for the garden

Cauliflower seeds can be purchased from local gardening stores or ordered online. The selection of the variety is based on the following criteria:

Selection criteria for cauliflower varieties:

  • color
  • Cultivation time
  • Suitable Growing Time
  • Cold tolerance of early and late varieties
  • Vernalization safety, i.e. that the cabbage also forms flowers
  • Resistance to diseases

In order to give you an insight into the large selection of varieties, we present some types of cauliflower here. The exact information on sowing and harvesting can be found on the seed packet. In the article Harvesting, freezing and storing cauliflower, we have summarized what you need to watch out for later during the harvest.

White cauliflower varieties

  • ˈAlphaˈ: A proven universal variety that is suitable for both early and late cultivation; relatively robust.
  • ˈWalcheren Winterˈ: Cauliflower, which is also suitable as a winter cauliflower variety in mild areas, which is only planted in July to August and harvested in April. It tolerates moderate frost, but a protective fleece is advisable in winter.
  • ˈErfurter Zwergˈ: Rather an early variety with slightly smaller heads; but has low demands and is therefore well suited for the home garden.
  • ˈMulti Headˈ (F1): ˈMulti Headˈ is an exceptional variety, which can be harvested multiple times as it develops multiple flowers. It is therefore also known as picking cauliflower. Harvesting the main bud also encourages the growth of the secondary buds. The harvest takes place between June and September.
  • ˈNeckarperleˈ: A speci alty for hobby gardeners due to the fine taste and the long harvest period; Mid to late cultivation.
  • ˈTabiroˈ: A hardy, self-covering variety for autumn cultivation; mildly aromatic taste.
  • ˈAutumn Giantsˈ: The name says it all, large, very firm flowers; long harvest period and suitable for late cultivation.

Colorful cauliflower varieties

  • ˈCheddarˈ (F1): Yellow Cauliflower; newer variety with yellow-orange flowers, particularly rich in beta-carotene.
The ˈCheddarˈ variety has a similar color to the eponymous cheese
  • ˈDi Sicilia Violettoˈ: Cauliflower with lilac flowers and grey-green leaves with violet veins. In Italy, purple cauliflower is particularly popular because of its intense and aromatic taste. It is suitable for late cultivation, harvesting takes place in autumn.
  • ˈGrafittiˈ: Purple to purple variety of cauliflower, suitable for bothSuitable for both summer and winter cultivation. Very fragrant; turns green during cooking.
  • ˈSusanaˈ F1: One of the few light green cauliflower varieties; later high-yielding cauliflower; ideal for autumn cultivation.
  • ˈMarches Greenˈ: Green cauliflower with a more intense flavor; suitable for early to middle cultivation. Even after cooking, the cauliflower stays green.
Turns green when cooked, but fortunately can also be eaten raw

Another beautiful green variety of cauliflower is known as Romanesco. You can find out which varieties there are in our special article on growing Romanesco.

Category:

Vegetables