Brussels sprouts are a tasty and nutritious cold weather crop, but many home gardeners are unfamiliar with what the plants actually look like as they grow. Unlike familiar vegetables like tomatoes or zucchini that grow on clearly visible vines, brussels sprout plants can seem like a mystery, with their edible parts hidden by leaves.
In this article, we’ll explore pictures of brussels sprout plants at all stages of growth. By seeing detailed photos of sprout plants throughout their lifecycle, you’ll gain a better understanding of their unique growth habits and be prepared to grow them yourself.
Seedling Stage
Brussels sprouts grow from small, round seeds that are sown directly in the garden or started indoors. When starting brussels sprout plants from seed, the first growth stage is the young seedling.
Sprout seeds take 5-10 days to germinate. Once they do, the first thing you’ll see is the small, emerging root. This “taproot” anchors the plant and absorbs water and nutrients.
Next, the seedling stem and first leaves (called cotyledons) emerge from the soil. The cotyledons are oval shaped and smooth, with a light green color. They absorb sunlight for the plant while the root system establishes itself.
Brussels sprout seedlings with two oval cotyledon leaves
Brussels sprout seedlings with two oval cotyledon leaves. Image from FarmingThing
In indoor conditions brussels sprout seedlings need 14-21 days after germination before being transplanted into the garden. During this stage they’ll grow about 2-4 inches tall and develop their first true leaves.
Leaf and Stem Growth
Once brussels sprout plants are established in the garden, the next stage is vigorous leaf and stem growth. This is the vegetative stage, where the plant focuses on above-ground expansion rather than fruit production.
The young sprout plant will continue growing upward, adding leaves along the central stalk as it grows taller. The leaves start out rounded with a puckered texture, then transition to longer, smoother leaves as the plant matures.
Brussels sprout plant with rounded, textured leaves on main stalk
Early vegetative growth of a brussels sprout plant. Image from FarmingThing.
During this leafy growth period, sprout plants can grow quite tall, often reaching 2-4 feet. The stalk will become thicker and woodier as growth progresses.
You may need to provide support with stakes or a trellis to prevent the top-heavy plants from falling over. Proper spacing, usually 18-24 inches between plants, ensures good air circulation as the foliage expands.
Sprout Formation
After an extended period of leaf and stem growth, brussels sprout plants will finally start forming the tightly packed buds that become the edible sprouts.
These sprouts emerge from the stalk at the base of each leaf, wrapping tightly around the stem. They’ll start out quite small, usually just a 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter.
Brussels sprout buds forming at the base of leaves
Tight, green brussels sprout buds forming along the stalk. Image from Wikimedia Commons.
Depending on the variety, it can take 12-20 weeks before the lowest sprouts are ready to begin harvesting. Sprouts higher on the stalk will take longer, since they form later than those at the bottom.
As the sprouts swell, the leaves on the stalk will gradually start to yellow and drop. The plant is now reaching maturity and putting its energy into the sprouts rather than leaves.
Ready to Harvest
After 14-20 weeks of growth, the lowest sprouts on the plant should be full sized and ready to pick. Harvest them by snapping or cutting each sprout off individually.
When ripe and ready to harvest, brussels sprouts are:
- About 1-1 1⁄2 inches in diameter
- Bright green and tightly closed
- Firm when squeezed
Brussels sprouts ready for harvest
A stalk of brussels sprouts ready for harvest. Image from Almanac.com
Further up the stalk, smaller sprouts will continue maturing. These can be harvested over several weeks by working your way up the plant.
With proper care, a single brussels sprout plant can bear sprouts from late summer through winter, for months of ongoing harvests. Now that you know what to look for, you’ll recognize the key growth stages and be equipped for brussels sprout gardening success!
Based on the content provided, these are the frequencies of entity mentions within it:
The most frequently mentioned entities are sprouts, stalks, leaves, and the brussels sprouts themselves. The article focuses on the growth cycle of brussels sprout plants, so it makes sense these core parts of the plant would be discussed the most. Sprouts are central, stalks hold the sprouts, and leaves precede sprout formation. Pictures showcasing these key structures help illustrate the various growth stages.
A quick guide to Brussels sprouts
- Brussels sprouts are a fall crop in Minnesota.
- Sow seeds in June, indoors or directly in the garden.
- Water thoroughly once a week for well-formed, large, sweet sprouts.
- They can stay in the garden as long as temperatures remain above 20°F.
Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) are tight heads of tender leaves, like mini cabbages, grown on the stalk of a tall, leafy plant. The large leaves are smooth and thick and resemble collard greens; you can prepare them in the same ways.
Where each leaf joins the stem, a small sprout develops, beginning with the lowest leaves and continuing up the stalk. The sprouts can be as large as two inches in diameter, but gardeners often harvest them when they are smaller.
Grown as a fall crop in Minnesota, Brussels sprouts are one of the few crops usually harvested after snow has fallen. Flavor improves with cooler fall weather; they can stay in the garden as long as temperatures remain above 20°F.
Since they must mature in cool weather for good quality, plan to harvest from late September in the north, through late October in the southern part of the state and along the Lake Superior shoreline.
Soil pH and fertility
- Grow Brussels sprouts in well-drained yet moisture-retentive, fertile soil with pH of 6 to 7.
- Apply phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) according to soil test recommendations. Many Minnesota soils have enough phosphorus.
- Unless your soil test report specifically recommends additional phosphorus, use a low- or no-phosphorus fertilizer.
- The plants need to take up water and nutrients throughout their growth.
- Improve your soil by adding well-rotted manure or compost in spring or fall. Do not use fresh manure as it may contain harmful bacteria, and may increase weed problems.
- Side-dress when the plants are about four inches tall.
- Do not use any fertilizer containing a weed killer (“Weed and Feed”), as it may kill your vegetable plants.
Sow seeds indoors in June.
- Use sterile soilless seedling mix and press the seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep.
- Do not use bottom heat. The seeds will germinate and the plants will grow well in regular summer temperatures.
- Seeds should germinate in about two weeks. Once the seedlings emerge, turn on bright grow lights above them.
- Apply fertilizer to developing seedlings beginning when the first true leaf appears. Use a half-strength starter solution once a week. After two true leaves are present, apply fertilizer twice a week.
- When the plants display four or five true leaves after about three weeks, reduce watering. Place plants outside where they will receive wind protection and a couple hours of sunlight.
- Gradually expose them to more sunlight and wind over the next week, being sure to keep them well-watered.
- Dig small holes with a trowel, or dig a furrow with a shovel. Place the seedlings 18 inches apart, and fill the soil around them so that the plant is at the same level it was in its pot.
- Water the plants in, or use a transplant starter solution high in phosphorus and low in nitrogen and potassium.
Brussels sprout seedlings have the distinct appearance of seedlings in the mustard family. The first two leaves to sprout, called “cotyledons,” are fleshy and shaped like capital “Bs”. True leaves follow these cotyledons.
You will need to take particular care of the seedlings. They are most vulnerable when exposed to extreme heat, wind, drought and insects. Water seedlings as needed.
Direct-seeded plants will need as much as three weeks more to mature than plants started indoors, so gardeners in northern Minnesota should use transplants.
Plant seed shallowly (1/4 to 1/2 inch), dropping three seeds every 18 inches. Once the plants emerge, thin so that there is one seedling every 18 inches. Keep the soil moist during emergence.
A row cover will protect the plants from wind and insects during the first weeks of growth. Use a lightweight material so that temperatures do not get too hot under the cover.
If strong winds loosen a floating row cover, it can do more damage than the plants would suffer without it, so be sure to anchor it firmly with soil and/or pins at the edges. You can also support the row cover with wire hoops
How to Grow Brussels Sprouts for Beginners
FAQ
What does a mature brussel sprout plant look like?
Brussels form large, quirky-looking plants up to 1m (3ft) tall, with a leafy top and sturdy stem covered in small rounded green or purple sprouts. They are slow to mature, sown from early spring onwards and ready to harvest from autumn to late winter, depending on the variety and sowing time.
Do Brussels sprout plants come back every year?
-
Homes and Gardenshttps://www.homesandgardens.comHow to grow brussels sprouts: guide to planting and growingApr 10, 2022 — Brussels sprouts do not come back every year, but they are actually biennial, meaning their natural life cycle is two years. If you live in a zone w…
Are Brussels sprouts just mini cabbages?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Are brussels sprouts little cabbages? They belong to the same family as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, but they are not actual mini cabbages although they look like it. Brussels sprouts grow on a tall stalk. Each stalk may contain up to 40 or more sprouts!
What is the secret to growing brussel sprouts?
-
Soil:Brussels sprouts thrive in well-drained, fertile soil with plenty of organic matter. Consider amending the soil with compost, aged manure, or other organic matter to improve its structure and fertility. A soil pH around 6.8 is ideal.
-
Sunlight:They need a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight daily, ideally more. A sunny location is essential for healthy growth and good sprout development.
Are Brussels sprouts plant stock photos available?
Brussels Sprouts Plant stock photos are available in a variety of sizes and formats to fit your needs.
What Brussels sprouts grow on a stalk?
The vegetable brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea) growing on the stalk of the plant. Big set of vegetables. Big set of vegetables. Ink sketch collection isolated on white background. Hand drawn vector illustration. Retro style. Medium shot of cabbage family brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea) stalks with the individual sprouts visable.
How do brussel sprouts grow?
The germination and seedling stages of Brussels sprout growth begin when the seed is planted in the soil. Brussel sprouts grow from seeds, and for the seeds to germinate, the soil temperature needs to be between 45 and 850 °F. They prefer a soil pH of 6.0–7.5 and to grow in an area of full sunlight and abundant moisture.
What does a brussel sprouts plant look like?
A Brussels Sprout isolated on a white background. Lush green leaves of a Brussels Sprout plant, Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera. Close up of Brussels sprouts on plant. Brussel sprouts plant under weather protection in garden, allotment. Brussel sprouts isolated on a kitchen bench.
How do you know if Brussels sprouts are healthy?
Brussels sprouts require a consistent amount of light to form healthy sprouts. If the plant is grown in too much shade, the sprouts may be small and poorly formed. As the sprouts grow, the leaves on the plant will begin to yellow and die back. This is normal and indicates that the plant is nearing maturity.
Can Brussels sprouts be planted outside?
Brussels sprouts are usually planted outdoors right when pests are at their worst! Do not disturb the soil around the plants; roots are shallow and susceptible to damage. Brussels sprout plants usually reach heights of 2 to 3 feet, so plan accordingly; they may require staking.