Brussels Sprouts

Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera

Family: Brassicaceae

Cold Hardy
Long Season
Frost Sweetens Flavor

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

sprouts (axillary buds)

Hazardous parts

No hazardous parts found.

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

not applicable

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Not on the ASPCA cat or dog plant lists. NC State Extension's own plant database flags this species as a "problem for horses" specifically: a separate toxicity note from that source, not from ASPCA, and not extended to dogs or cats in that listing. A normal garden vegetable for dogs and cats as far as available sources show.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Grown as a cool-season crop in all US zones; cold tolerant to 20 F
Mature size: Plants 2-3 ft tall; space 3-6 ft apart (NC State Extension) to give the tall stalks room.
Where it comes from: Developed in Europe, possibly ancient Rome (5th century); cultivated near Brussels, Belgium by the 13th century, giving the crop its name

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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