PURPLE OF SICILY
Best heirloom cauliflower for cool-weather gardeners seeking vibrant, nutrient-dense harvests.
Discover the unique Purple of Sicily cauliflower, a stunning heirloom variety offering exceptional flavor and a rich nutritional profile. This vegetable produces impressive 2-3 pound heads with a vibrant purple hue that turns green when cooked. Naturally insect resistant and packed with essential minerals, it's a reliable and visually striking addition to your spring or fall garden. This cauliflower thrives in cooler weather, ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality, garden-fresh crops. It's an excellent source of vitamins C and K, and folate.
$3.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
270
/ 5887
#270 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-63%
Below average
Days to Maturity
90
/ days
Who it's for
- Home gardeners seeking vibrant, photogenic produce for their kitchen
- Health-conscious cooks prioritizing flavor and nutrient-dense ingredients
- Busy gardeners wanting low-effort crops without blanching requirements
Who should skip it
- Culinary presenters requiring vibrant color retention after cooking
- Gardeners in northern climates with short, frost-prone growing seasons
- Market growers needing high-volume, uniform yields for commercial sales
Performance breakdown
Visual Appeal
Stunning purple heads provide a dramatic centerpiece for any home garden.
Flavor Profile
Refined, sweet taste elevates this heirloom above standard supermarket cauliflower varieties.
Pest Resilience
Natural insect resistance reduces the need for intensive garden maintenance.
Nutritional Density
Packed with essential vitamins and minerals for a health-conscious harvest.
Seasonal Versatility
Reliable performance across both spring and fall planting windows.
Growth Consistency
Dependable 90-day maturity cycle ensures predictable yields for home growers.
Key Specs
Days to Maturity
90 days
Planting Season
Spring, Fall
Seed Form
Loose Seeds
Variety Type
Heirloom
Water Needs
Moderate
Flower Color
Purple, Green
Plant Type
Vegetable
Life Cycle
Annual
Features
- Heirloom quality with exceptional flavor
- Brilliant purple color turns green when cooked
- Naturally insect resistant
- Produces large 2-3 pound heads
- Super nutrition, loaded with minerals
- Sweet, delicious, and refined taste
- Excellent for spring and fall harvest
What customers say
Experienced gardeners highly recommend 'Purple of Sicily' for its superior quality and unique attributes. Reviewers consistently praise the exceptional germination and plant vigor, reflecting excellent genetics. The main draw is the stunning visual appeal; the deep purple color remains vibrant even after cooking. Flavor is another highlight, described as noticeably sweeter and nuttier than standard varieties, making it excellent for culinary use. While timing can challenge novices, seasoned growers achieve excellent yields with proper care. The consensus is that this specialty brassica offers a rewarding investment due to its reliable performance, distinctive aesthetic, and outstanding taste.
Know before you buy
No, the vibrant purple hue will transition to green once the cauliflower is cooked. The flavor remains sweet and refined regardless of the color change.
Purple of Sicily produces impressive, substantial heads that generally weigh between 2 and 3 pounds at maturity.
This cauliflower is best suited for cooler weather and is specifically recommended for spring or fall harvests. It will struggle to thrive in the high heat of mid-summer.
For optimal germination, ensure your soil temperature is between 55°F and 75°F. The seeds should be planted at a depth of 1/4 inch.
To ensure proper airflow and head development, space your plants 12 to 24 inches apart, with rows spaced 18 to 36 inches apart.
While it is naturally insect-resistant, it does have high fertilizer needs to support its growth. Consistent moderate watering is also required to produce the best quality heads.
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Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$4