How to Grow Attis
Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Attis is a unique variety of Brussels sprouts featuring small, tender heads that form along the main stem rather than the side shoots. Gardeners prize this cultivar for its reliable yield in cooler climates and its ability to withstand light frosts while developing rich flavor.
📷 Wikipedia: Brassica oleraceaStarting Attis: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
If starting indoors, move seedlings outdoors once they have developed a few true leaves and the risk of hard frost has passed.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors or start indoors two to six weeks before your last spring frost date. Plant the seed at a depth of about one inch. Expect germination to occur within seven to fourteen days under optimal conditions.
Space plants eighteen to twenty-four inches apart in rows to ensure proper air circulation. While this variety does not require trellising, consistent moisture is vital; aim for one to one and a half inches of water weekly via deep watering. Apply mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, feeding lightly if growth appears stunted.
Monitor closely for cabbage worms, flea beetles, harlequin bugs, and aphids, treating infestations early with organic controls. Watch for clubroot, black rot, powdery mildew, and bacterial leaf spot by ensuring good airflow and removing diseased leaves immediately. Harvest the small sprouts starting from the bottom of the stem upward approximately 118 days after sowing.
When to Plant Attis
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | April – May | June – July | September |
| Zone 2 | April – May | May – July | September |
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | August – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | March – May | July – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | June – December |
| Zone 9 | January | February – March | May – December |
| Zone 10 | January | January – March | May – December |
| Zone 11 | January | January – February | April – December |
| Zone 12 | January | January – February | April – December |
| Zone 13 | January | January – February | April – December |
Companion Plants for Attis
✓ Good companions
Repels cabbage white butterflies and provides pest deterrent aromatics
Attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize cabbage worms and aphids
Natural fungicide properties help prevent clubroot and other soil-borne diseases
Provides ground cover and efficient space usage without competing for nutrients
Deters whiteflies and nematodes while attracting beneficial predatory insects
Acts as trap crop for flea beetles and aphids, drawing pests away from brassicas
Repels cabbage maggots, flea beetles, and aphids with strong sulfur compounds
Compatible growth habits and helps maximize garden space utilization
✗ Keep away from
Climbing growth can shade brassicas and both plants attract similar pest insects
Both plants are heavy feeders that compete for soil nutrients, reducing yields
Competes for similar nutrients and may stunt brassica growth through allelopathy
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
