Comparison · crop
Brassica vegetables: cabbage vs cauliflower vs broccoli vs kale
Compare cole crops in the Brassica oleracea group.
| Dimension | Cabbage | Cauliflower | Broccoli | Kale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Vegetable crop | Vegetable crop | Vegetable crop | Vegetable crop |
| Scientific name | Brassica oleracea var. capitata | Brassica oleracea var. botrytis | Brassica oleracea var. italica | Brassica oleracea var. acephala (syn. var. sabellica) |
| Botanical family | Brassicaceae (mustard family) | Brassicaceae (mustard family) | Brassicaceae (mustard family) | Brassicaceae (mustard family) |
| Lifecycle | Biennial, grown as an annual for head harvest | Biennial, grown as an annual for curd harvest | Biennial, grown as an annual for head harvest | Biennial, grown as an annual for leaf harvest |
| Common diseases | Downy Mildew, Fusarium Wilt | Clubroot, Downy Mildew | Clubroot, Downy Mildew | Downy Mildew, Clubroot |
| Common pests | Aphids, Cutworms, Slugs | Flea Beetles, Armyworms | Flea Beetles, Armyworms | Aphids, Flea Beetles |
| Suitable soils | Loam Soil, Clay Soil | Loam Soil, Clay Soil | Loam Soil, Clay Soil | Loam Soil, Clay Soil |
Methodology
Descriptive dimensions (family, lifecycle, associated diseases/pests, soils) are read from each crop’s reference entry. No crop is ranked as “better”; agronomic outcomes are region- and system-specific.
Limitations
- Descriptive comparison only — not a yield, profitability, or suitability ranking.
- Associated diseases/pests and soils are typical, not exhaustive, and vary by region.
Sources
This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.
- [1]FAO — Food and Agriculture Organization (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Type:
- Intergovernmental organization
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- Authoritative
- Type:
- Reference database
- Jurisdiction:
- United States
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12