Broccoli Varieties and
Types of Broccoli

Broccoli varieties differ mainly in the shape and size of the head, time to maturation, side shoot production, and disease resistance. Home gardeners should look for blends of early and mid-season varieties to extend the season.

Broccoli Varieties—‘Arcadia’ © Steve Masley Click IMAGE to Enlarge

When most people think of broccoli, they think of the standard broccoli head seen in supermarkets. These are the main varieties of broccoli grown commercially, but home gardeners can choose from a wide range of broccoli varieties not commonly found in commercial production.

Like most cool-season vegetables, broccoli has early and mid-season varieties. Early varieties mature in 50-60 days, mid-season varieties in 60-75 days. Days to maturity are from transplanting date; add 25-30 days if direct seeded.

Sprouting Broccoli is grown for its long, tender shoots, which are prepared in the same way as asparagus, or used in stir-fries.

Broccoli Raab is a branching, as opposed to heading, type of broccoli. It forms multiple small heads, instead of one large central head. Harvest the tender shoots before the flowers open for best texture and flavor.

Gai-lon, or Chinese broccoli, is a type of Asian green that’s smaller in size, darker green, grows more quickly, and has a stronger flavor than its western cousins. It doesn’t form traditional heads. Instead, the whole plant is eaten.

“OP”=Open Pollinated/Heirloom (saved seeds will produce true to form). “F1”=Hybrid (saved seeds won’t necessarily produce true to form).

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All seeds featured on this site are non-GMO.

Organic seeds are, by definition, non-GMO. Most varieties featured here are organic, but some varieties are only available as non-organic seed. Don't let this prevent you from trying a variety that looks interesting.

NOP (National Organic Program) guidelines allow the use of non-organic (but not GMO) seeds when organic seeds for that variety are not available. The way the plants are grown (without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides) is the primary determinant of whether they're grown organically.

Early Broccoli Varieties (58-65 days)

‘Gypsy’ (F1, 58 days) is a very early broccoli with a strong root system for good productivity in poor soil. It produces nicely-domed green heads with medium to small bead size. Has good heat tolerance and side-shoot production.

Buy 'Gypsy' Broccoli Seeds (Johnny's Seeds)

‘Amadeus’ (F1, 56 days) is a good early-season choice that produces 4-5” (10-13 cm) diameter, blue-green, tight heads with small beads. Strong side shoot production after main head is harvested. Medium-sized, vigorous plants.

Buy 'Amadeus' Seeds (Johnny's Seeds)

Mid-Season Broccoli Varieties

‘Belstar’ (F1, 65-75 days) produces beautiful blue-green, tightly packed heads high on the plant. Good heat and cold tolerance, it’s a reliable performer for both spring and fall planting.

Buy 'Belstar' Broccoli Seeds (Territorial Seeds)

‘Express’ (F1, 75 days) is a good mid-season broccoli. Uniform plants produces 6-7” (15-18 cm) diameter, deep blue-green heads with tight beads. Produces lots of side shoots.

Buy 'Express' Broccoli Seeds (Territorial Seeds)

Broccoli Raab

‘Sorrento’ (OP, 40 days) matures faster than other broccoli raab varieties. Large, vigorous plants produce a multitude of 3-4” (7-10 cm) heads. Harvest frequently for continued production.

Buy 'Sorrento' Broccoli Raab Seeds (Territorial Seeds)

Chinese Broccoli (Gai-lon)

To harvest Chinese broccoli, cut off just above the roots before the flowers open. Cut off the young, tender tops of the plants, then split the wider base of the stems in half lengthwise. Stir fry with garlic and oil.

‘Kailaan’ (OP, 45-65 days) produces deep green, 6-8” (15-20 cm) stalks with white flowers. Bolts in hot weather, so best sown early spring or late summer.

Buy 'Kailaan' Chinese Broccoli Seeds (Kitazawa Seeds)

‘Suiho’ (F1, 44 days) is more heat-tolerant than non-hybrid varieties.

Buy 'Suiho' Chinese Broccoli Seeds (Kitazawa Seeds)

'Happy Rich' (F1, 55 days) is a vigorous, productive hybrid gailon variety that produces large florets resembling mini heads of broccoli. Lots of side shoots.

Buy 'Happy Rich' Chinese Broccoli Seeds (Johnny's Seeds)

Specialty Broccoli Varieties

"Specialty" broccoli varieties include Sprouting Broccoli, Broccolini, and the wonderfully fractal 'Romanesco' broccoli, an Italian heirloom that looks like a broccoli-cauliflower cross.

Sprouting broccoli are primitive broccoli plants that were the forerunners of today's heading broccoli. They produce abundant, long side-shoots rather than a large central head. The side shoots are harvested and cooked like asparagus: chopped and sauteed, or brushed with olive oil and grilled.

Broccolini is simply a term for broccoli side shoots. Many heading varieties of broccoli will produce a flush of side shoots after the main head is harvested, and these can be harvested and prepared like the sprouting broccoli above. Some varieties, like 'Apollo', produce more side shoots and are the preferred varieties for producing broccolini.

‘Santee’ (F1, 80-115 days), also called ‘Purple Sprouting Broccoli’. Large plants produce an abundant yield of tender, purple flowers with green stems. (Florets turn green when cooked). Extended 3-5 week harvest period. Suitable for cool-weather production only, shoots turn bitter in hot weather.

Buy 'Santee' Broccoli Seeds (Johnny's Seeds)

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