Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Origin: Unknown
Improvement status: Cultivar
Seeds per packet: ~65
Germination tested 11/2025: 93%
Life cycle: Biennial
Red Rubine' is the classic purple heirloom variety of 'Brussels Sprouts,' dating back to at least the 1940s or 50s and most likely developed in the Netherlands (though sometimes these old strains are hard to trace!). The plants are generally less productive than larger green types, but they are also less attractive to pests than green Brussels Sprouts, and obviously they're very beautiful. Not as obvious: they're absolutely delicious too.
Our Upper Midwest-grown seed comes from our dear friend and colleague Clint Freund of Cultivating the Commons in Amery, Wisconsin.
