Broccoli

Brassica oleracea var. italica

Cool‑season · frost‑tolerant · start indoors

104–124 days from seed to harvest

55–75 days to harvest after transplant

Ideal15 – 24 °C

Tolerates4 – 27 °C

Broccoli is a cool-season flowering vegetable in the mustard family that tolerates light frost. The usual start is indoors, then transplant, and harvest is about 55–75 days from transplant (about 8 to 11 weeks).

Primary method: start indoors

Broccoli is usually started indoors, then moved outside when the weather suits the tolerable range.

Start seed. Sow seed indoors. Germination typically takes 3–10 days.
Grow seedlings. Keep seedlings growing indoors until they are ready to harden off. About 5 weeks (32 days)
Harden off. Gradually acclimate indoor seedlings to outdoor conditions before planting. About 7 days
Transplant. Move seedlings outside once daytime air stays inside the tolerable range. 4 – 27 °C.
Grow to harvest. About 7–9 weeks indoors before transplant (about 49 days total). 55–75 days from transplant (about 8 to 11 weeks).

Typical days from indoor sowing to harvest — not calendar dates.

Start seed
Day 0–10
3–10 days
Grow indoors
Day 10–42
32 days
Harden off
Day 42–49
7 days
Transplant
~Day 49
when days stay within 4 – 27 °C
Grow outdoors
Day 50–104
54 days
Harvest
Day 104–124
55–75 days from transplant

Direct sowing

Direct sowing is not the usual method for this plant, so there is no separate direct-sow schedule here.

Care basics

Sun: full sun to part shade, at least 6 hours of direct sun.

This plant tolerates light frost.

Types and varieties

Other names: Calabrese, Heading broccoli, Sprouting broccoli. Variety groups are not listed here.

Growing facts

Growing requirements for this plant. Temperatures are daytime air temperatures in °C.
Attribute	Value
Plant name	Broccoli
Scientific name	Brassica oleracea var. italica
Family	Brassicaceae (mustard family)
Time to harvest	55–75 days from transplant (about 8 to 11 weeks)
Days to germinate	3–10 days
Ideal growing temperature	15 – 24 °C
Minimum tolerable temperature	4 °C
Maximum tolerable temperature	27 °C
Start indoors	Yes, usual method
Direct sow	Not the usual method
Season type	Cool-season, tolerates light frost
Typical start method	Start indoors, then transplant
Light	full sun to part shade, 6+ hours direct sun

Glossary

Ideal temperature: The preferred daytime range for good growth.
Tolerable temperature: A wider range where the plant can still grow, less optimally.
Harden off: Gradually acclimating indoor seedlings to outdoor conditions before transplanting.
Transplant: Moving seedlings into the garden.
Days to harvest: The usual time to harvest, counted from the start point named beside the number (seed, transplant, or planting).

Arugula Cabbage Cauliflower Kale Radish

All plants Locations