Overview

Introduce a splash of vibrant color and unique texture to your landscape with the stunning red ornamental cabbage plant. This live plant, provided in a convenient 4-inch pot, is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking an eye-catching, low-maintenance addition to their outdoor spaces. Unlike its culinary cousin, ornamental cabbage is cultivated purely for its aesthetic appeal, showcasing dramatic rosettes of leaves in brilliant shades of red, pink, purple, and green. Often referred to as flowering kale or decorative cabbage, these plants bring an unexpected ornamental quality to fall and winter gardens, thriving in cooler temperatures when many other plants begin to fade. The striking coloration intensifies as temperatures drop, making the colorful ornamental cabbage a seasonal highlight. Whether you’re designing a vibrant container arrangement, enhancing garden beds, or creating a focal point in your landscape, this hardy and beautiful plant is sure to impress.

The botanical name for ornamental cabbage is Brassica oleracea, a species that also includes broccoli, cauliflower, and traditional cabbage. However, these specific cultivars have been bred for their spectacular foliage rather than their edible heads. The compact growth habit and dramatic leaf colors make the live ornamental cabbage a versatile choice for various garden designs. Its robust nature ensures it remains a decorative feature for an extended period, providing continuous visual interest throughout the cooler months. This particular variety, with its rich red hues, promises to be a standout, offering a sophisticated touch to any garden or patio setting.

Key Benefits

Integrating the red ornamental cabbage plant into your garden offers numerous advantages beyond its obvious beauty. These plants are celebrated for their resilience and ability to provide color when most other plants are dormant, making them an invaluable asset for seasonal displays. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Seasonal Color: Provides exceptional visual interest during fall and winter when other plants have finished blooming. The cool weather intensifies the vibrant red and purple hues, creating a stunning display.
• Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established. The ornamental cabbage care routine is straightforward, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Simply ensure proper sunlight and well-draining soil.
• Versatile Design: Perfect for a wide range of applications including garden beds, borders, window boxes, and mixed containers. Its compact size and striking colors make it a flexible option for various landscaping projects.
• Unique Texture: The ruffled, layered leaves offer a distinctive texture that adds depth and interest to any planting scheme. This unique foliage stands out among more common garden plants.
• Hardy & Resilient: Known for its ability to withstand cooler temperatures, this plant is a robust choice for extending the gardening season. It can tolerate light frosts, ensuring prolonged beauty.
• Deer Resistant: While not entirely deer-proof, ornamental cabbage is generally less appealing to deer than many other garden plants, offering a degree of protection in areas with wildlife.
• Non-Flowering Beauty: Unlike typical flowering plants, its beauty comes from its foliage, ensuring a consistent and long-lasting display without the need for constant deadheading.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your red ornamental cabbage plant is relatively simple, making it a rewarding choice for gardeners of all skill levels. To ensure your plant thrives and displays its most vibrant colors, follow these essential care guidelines. These plants perform best in conditions that mimic their natural preference for cooler weather.

Sunlight Requirements

For the most intense and beautiful coloration, ornamental cabbage requires full sun exposure. This means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. While it can tolerate partial shade, insufficient light may result in less vibrant leaf colors and a more leggy growth habit. When planting in containers, ensure they are placed in a location that receives ample sunshine, especially during the cooler parts of the day. For an outdoor cabbage plant, choose a spot in your garden that is not overshadowed by larger structures or trees.

Watering Schedule and Soil Moisture

Consistent moisture is key for healthy ornamental cabbage. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so good drainage is crucial. Reduce watering frequency as temperatures drop significantly, but never let the soil completely dry out. Monitoring the soil moisture with your finger is the best way to determine when to water.

Soil Type and Drainage Requirements

Ornamental cabbage thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). If planting in garden beds, amend heavy clay soils with organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and enrich the soil. For container planting, use a high-quality potting mix specifically formulated for outdoor plants, ensuring it provides excellent drainage. Proper drainage is essential to prevent water accumulation around the roots, which can be detrimental to the health of your colorful ornamental cabbage.

Temperature Range and USDA Hardiness Zone

Ornamental cabbage is best grown as a cool-season annual. It thrives in temperatures between 45°F and 65°F (7°C and 18°C). While it can tolerate light frosts, prolonged periods below 20°F (-6°C) may damage the plant. The vibrant colors intensify as temperatures drop, making it a perfect choice for fall and winter displays. It is generally suitable for USDA hardiness zones 2-11 as an annual, but can sometimes overwinter in milder climates. Understanding ornamental cabbage care involves knowing its temperature preferences.

Fertilization Schedule and Type

Ornamental cabbage is not a heavy feeder. If planted in rich, well-amended soil, it may not require additional fertilization. However, for container-grown plants or those in less fertile soil, a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer applied at planting time can provide sufficient nutrients. Alternatively, a liquid feed every 4-6 weeks with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength can be used. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can promote leafy growth at the expense of vibrant coloration. Ensure you’re following the specific instructions for your chosen fertilizer to properly nourish your red ornamental cabbage plant.

Common Problems and Solutions

While generally robust, ornamental cabbage can occasionally face issues. Pests like aphids, cabbage worms, and slugs may be attracted to the foliage. Regularly inspect your plants and treat infestations promptly with organic insecticidal soaps or by manually removing pests. Fungal diseases like root rot can occur in overly wet conditions; ensure proper drainage to prevent this. Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient deficiency. Adjust your watering schedule and consider a light feeding if necessary to maintain a healthy live ornamental cabbage.

Size & Details

This offering includes one red ornamental cabbage plant, carefully cultivated and shipped in a 4-inch nursery pot. At the time of shipment, the plant will be well-rooted and actively growing, typically standing between 4 to 6 inches tall with a similar spread. Ornamental cabbage is known for its compact, rosette-like growth habit, making it an excellent choice for defined garden spaces or containers. These plants generally mature to a height and spread of 12 to 18 inches, with the most vibrant colors developing as the weather cools. The plant is shipped as a live, established specimen, ready for immediate planting upon arrival. Its moderate growth rate means it will provide a consistent display throughout its cool-season growing period, typically from fall through early spring, depending on your local climate. This colorful ornamental cabbage is grown specifically for its ornamental beauty and will not produce an edible head.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: This red ornamental cabbage plant typically grows to a mature size of 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, forming a beautiful, compact rosette. The size can vary slightly based on growing conditions and care.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: Each live plant is carefully nurtured and shipped in a 4-inch nursery pot, providing a healthy root system and a strong start for your garden.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Ornamental cabbage is primarily an outdoor cabbage plant, thriving in cooler temperatures and full sun. While it can be brought indoors temporarily for display, it is not suitable for long-term indoor cultivation.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For the best color development and healthy growth, ornamental cabbage requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, ideally full sun.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, ornamental cabbage care is considered low maintenance. It requires consistent watering, well-draining soil, and plenty of sunlight, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your live ornamental cabbage will arrive as a healthy, established plant in its 4-inch pot, carefully packaged to ensure its safety during transit. It will be ready for planting upon arrival.
• Q: Can I eat this ornamental cabbage? A: While botanically related to edible cabbage, ornamental cabbage varieties are grown for their decorative foliage and are not typically consumed due to their bitter taste and tougher texture.
• Q: When is the best time to plant this? A: The best time to plant this colorful ornamental cabbage is in the late summer or early fall, as it thrives and develops its best colors in cooler weather.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Ornamental cabbage is generally grown as a cool-season annual and can tolerate light frosts. In milder climates (USDA zones 8-11), it may survive through winter, but in colder zones, it is typically treated as an annual.
• Q: What type of soil is best for this plant? A: Well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal for the red ornamental cabbage plant. Amending with organic matter can improve soil quality.