Brassica oleracea 'Savoy King' Cabbage

Brassica oleracea 'Savoy King' Cabbage is an award-winning hybrid variety celebrated for its large, semi-flat heads and distinctive crinkled, emerald-green leaves. Growing to about 12 to 18 inches tall with a generous spread of 24 to 36 inches, this All-America Selections winner is a standout in the vegetable garden for its vigor, uniformity, and exceptional cold hardiness. Unlike smooth-leaf varieties, 'Savoy King' features a deeply textured, blistered appearance ("savoyed") that not only adds ornamental value but also results in a sweeter, milder, and more tender leaf that holds up well in the field, even into early winter.

 

Culinary and Practical Uses

• The tender, crinkled leaves are sweeter and less sulfurous than standard cabbage, making them excellent for raw slaws, salads, and wraps.
• The textured pockets in the leaves hold sauces beautifully, making this variety a top choice for sautéing, stir-fries, and hearty soups.
• Highly prized for stuffed cabbage rolls (golabki), as the leaves are pliable and easy to roll without tearing after a brief blanching.

 

Characteristics

• Foliage: Deep green, heavily crinkled (savoyed) leaves form large, semi-flat heads averaging 4 to 6 pounds; the texture is tender and crisp.
• Growth Habit: Vigorous, spreading, and uniform; the large wrapper leaves provide good coverage for the head, protecting it from sun scald and light frost.
• Flowers: If overwintered (biennial) or exposed to prolonged stress, the plant will bolt, sending up tall stalks of small, four-petaled yellow flowers attractive to bees.
• Seeds: Small, round, dark brown seeds; vigorous germination rates make them ideal for starting indoors or direct sowing in cool soils.

 

Growing Requirements

• Sun: Thrives in full sun; requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce dense, heavy heads.
• Soil: Prefers rich, fertile, well-draining soil with a neutral pH (6.5–7.5); consistent fertility is key to rapid, healthy growth.
• Water: Requires consistent, even moisture to prevent splitting and ensure tenderness; mulch heavily to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool.
• Spacing: Plant seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart in rows spaced 30 to 36 inches apart to accommodate the large, spreading habit.
• Maintenance: Feed with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer early in the season; harvest when heads feel firm to the touch (approx. 80–90 days); remove lower leaves if they yellow or touch the ground.

 

Shipping Info Savoy King Cabbage seeds ship as fresh, high-quality, viable seeds that are carefully packaged for stability and protection from damage during transit. Prompt shipping supports reliable germination and seasonally appropriate planting.