Brassica oleracea 'Red Acre', Red Acre Cabbage
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Vegetables

Brassica oleracea 'Red Acre'

Red Acre Cabbage

BrassicaceaeEurope

At a Glance

Typevegetable
Habitcompact rosette
Foliagedeciduous
Height8-12 inches
Width12-18 inches

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3a - 9b
Zone 3a
Zone 3b
Zone 4a
Zone 4b
Zone 5a
Zone 5b
Zone 6a
Zone 6b
Zone 7a
Zone 7b
Zone 8a
Zone 8b
Zone 9a
Zone 9b
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Container Friendly
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Brassica oleracea 'Red Acre' is a compact, early-maturing red cabbage cultivar that forms dense, rounded heads with vibrant purple-red outer leaves and deep red interior coloring. The plant develops a short, thick stem topped by a tight rosette of broad, thick leaves that curve inward to form the characteristic cabbage head. The outer leaves are waxy and deeply colored, providing excellent protection for the inner head, which maintains its rich burgundy-red coloration throughout development. This cultivar typically produces uniform, medium-sized heads weighing 3-4 pounds at maturity, making it ideal for home gardens and small-scale production. The leaves have prominent white veining that creates an attractive contrast against the deep red background, and the heads maintain their compact form without splitting when properly grown.

Native Range

Brassica oleracea is native to the coastal regions of western and southern Europe, including the Mediterranean basin, Atlantic coasts of France, Spain, and the British Isles. The wild ancestor grows naturally on limestone cliffs and rocky shores where it has adapted to maritime conditions.

Suggested Uses

Brassica oleracea 'Red Acre' works well in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and large containers. Excellent for fresh eating, coleslaw, sauerkraut, and cooking applications where the attractive red color is desired. The compact size makes it suitable for succession planting and intensive growing systems. Can be grown as a fall crop in most regions and stores well for several months in proper conditions.

How to Identify

Brassica oleracea 'Red Acre' can be identified by its distinctive deep purple-red coloration throughout both outer and inner leaves, compact growth habit, and medium-sized heads that typically weigh 3-4 pounds. The leaves are thick and waxy with prominent white veining, and the plant maintains a uniform, rounded head shape without the loose leaf structure of other brassicas. Unlike larger red cabbage varieties, Brassica oleracea 'Red Acre' remains compact and matures earlier, usually within 76-90 days from transplanting.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

purple
red
burgundy

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SpringSummer
second year if allowed to bolt, typically spring to early summer

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pale yellow

Foliage Description

deep purple-red to burgundy with prominent white veining

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 6.8(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loam
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate to high, consistent moisture

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

76-90 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Brassica oleracea 'Red Acre' requires consistent moisture and cool growing conditions for best head development. Plant in fertile, well-draining soil amended with compost, and maintain soil pH between 6.0-6.8. Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, as irregular watering can cause heads to split or fail to form properly. Feed with a balanced fertilizer at planting and side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer 3-4 weeks after transplanting. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. In hot climates, provide afternoon shade to prevent bolting and maintain head quality.

Pruning

Brassica oleracea 'Red Acre' requires minimal pruning during the growing season. Remove any damaged or yellowing outer leaves as needed, but avoid removing healthy outer leaves as they protect the developing head and provide energy for growth. If plants begin to bolt prematurely, remove flower stalks immediately to redirect energy back to head formation, though this may not be successful once bolting has begun. After harvest, remove the entire plant and root system to prevent pest and disease buildup in the soil.

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Brassica oleracea 'Red Acre' is generally safe for human consumption when properly prepared. Raw cabbage in large quantities may cause digestive upset in sensitive individuals due to goitrogens, which can interfere with thyroid function. Cooking reduces these compounds significantly. The plant is generally safe for pets in small amounts, but large quantities may cause digestive issues in dogs and cats.

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

transplant

Indoor Start

6 weeks before last frost

Direct Sow Timing

early spring, 2-3 weeks before last frost

Days to Maturity

76–90 days

Plant Spacing

18 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

lettuce
spinach
onions
carrots
dill
chamomile
beets
celery

Avoid Planting With

tomatoes
peppers
strawberries
pole beans