How to grow Broccolini in New Zealand
Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and gai lan, grown for long, sweet, tender stems topped with small florets rather than one big head. After the first central stem is cut, plants send up a flush of side shoots that can be picked every few days for weeks. Like broccoli it does best in cool weather, and it needs insect mesh against white butterfly.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Broccolini in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | February to April, August to October | |
| Auckland | February to April, August to October | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | February to April, August to October | |
| Central North Island | February to April, September and October | Skip August in the central North Island. Plant from September and cover young plants on frosty nights. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | February to April, August to October | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | February to April, August to October | |
| Canterbury | February and March, September to December | Start spring sowings in Sep under a cloche or frost cloth, as frosts run to mid October. Keep sowing through Nov to Dec with steady watering. Make the last sowing in Mar so the crop is ready before winter growth stops. |
| Otago & Southland | February, October to December | Start spring sowings in Oct under a cloche or frost cloth, as frosts run to late October. Cool summers let you keep sowing through Nov to Dec. Make the last sowing in Feb so the crop is ready before winter growth stops. |
| Central Otago | February, October to December | Start spring sowings in Oct under a cloche or frost cloth, as frosts run into early November. Keep sowing through Nov to Dec with steady watering. Make the last sowing in Feb so the crop is ready before winter growth stops. |
Not to be confused with: Broccoli, which forms one large central head, and Gai Lan, the Chinese broccoli that is one of broccolini's parents.
Where to plant
Grow broccolini in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost. As a brassica it is prone to clubroot, so plant it in a different bed from other cabbage family crops each year and do not return for at least three years.
- Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Wellington, and Nelson and Marlborough: sow from February to April and from August to October.
- Central North Island: skip August. Plant from September and cover young plants on frosty nights.
- Canterbury: start spring sowings in September under a cloche or frost cloth, keep sowing through November and December with steady watering, and make the last sowing in March. February sowings also work.
- Otago and Southland and Central Otago: start in October under a cloche or frost cloth and keep sowing through November and December, as cool summers suit it. Make the last sowing in February.
Choosing a variety
- Tenderstem types: true broccoli and gai lan crosses with long, tender stems and small florets.
- Tasty Stems: a sprouting broccoli that compares well with broccolini. Pinch out the central head when it is the size of a $2 coin for more shoots.
- Sprouting Summer Purple: bred for warmer weather, with high yields of tender purple shoots. Sow from early spring to mid summer, then switch to a winter sprouting type.
How to plant
- Sow seed about 6 mm deep in trays of seed raising mix, or direct.
- Keep moist; seedlings appear in 5 to 10 days.
- Transplant about 30 cm apart, in rows 45 cm apart, into soil enriched with compost or blood and bone.
- Water in and cover with fine insect mesh straight away against white butterfly and diamondback moth.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist so the stems stay tender. Mulch to hold moisture. Feed every couple of weeks with a liquid fertiliser for leafy vegetables while the plants are cropping.
Pruning and care through the year
- Keep insect mesh on while white butterfly and diamondback moth are active.
- Pick regularly; plants left with mature shoots slow down and flower.
Harvesting
Cut the first central stem while its small head is still in tight bud. This triggers a flush of side stems. Pick these every few days at about 20 cm long with the buds still closed, and the plant keeps producing for weeks.
Broccolini keeps up to five days in a sealed bag in the fridge, and blanches and freezes well.
Growing in pots
One or two plants can grow in a pot at least 35 cm wide and deep with quality potting mix. Keep the mix moist, feed every couple of weeks and cover with insect mesh.
Using it
Steam, stir-fry, grill or roast the whole stems; they need no peeling. Good with garlic, chilli, lemon or oyster sauce.
Companion planting
Aromatic herbs and flowers around brassicas bring in beneficial insects.
Good companions
- Beetroot Fills the gaps between young plants without competing.
- Onion A slim crop that fits between rows.
- Celery Likes the same cool, moist, fertile conditions.
- Dill Its flowers attract hoverflies and parasitic wasps that prey on aphids and caterpillars.
- Rosemary A strongly scented herb traditionally grown near brassicas.
- Sage Another aromatic herb traditionally grown near brassicas.
- Chamomile Its flowers bring in beneficial insects.
- Nasturtium Draws aphids and some caterpillars away from the crop.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to broccolini.
- Tomato A summer crop that shades brassicas and wants different conditions.
- Strawberry Traditionally kept away from cabbage family crops.
- Climbing beans Traditionally kept away from brassicas, and they shade the bed.
Pests and diseases
Caterpillars are the main problem, and insect mesh is the best answer.
Pests to watch for
- White butterfly Green caterpillars and ragged holes in leaves.
- Diamondback moth Small green caterpillars that wriggle when touched, and leaves with small holes and windows.
- Aphids Grey, waxy colonies on shoots and under leaves.
- Slugs Seedlings chewed, with slime trails.
Diseases to watch for
- Clubroot Plants wilt on warm days, with swollen, distorted roots. Rotate brassica beds over at least three years.
- Downy mildew Yellow patches on leaves with grey fuzz underneath in cool, damp weather.
- Black rot Yellow, V-shaped patches from the leaf edges with blackened veins. Remove affected plants.
Common questions
What is broccolini?
A cross between broccoli and gai lan, grown for long, tender stems with small florets. It is picked as many side shoots rather than one big head.
When should I plant broccolini in New Zealand?
From February to April and August to October in most regions. In Canterbury, Otago and Southland, sow from spring through early summer, as cool summers suit it.
How do I get more shoots from broccolini?
Cut the first central stem while the buds are tight, then pick side shoots every few days at about 20 cm long, before the buds open.
Is broccolini the same as sprouting broccoli?
Not quite. Broccolini is a broccoli and gai lan cross. Sprouting broccoli varieties such as Tasty Stems and Summer Purple give similar slender, tender shoots and are grown and picked the same way.
How do I stop caterpillars on broccolini?
Cover plants with fine insect mesh from planting so white butterflies and diamondback moths cannot lay eggs on them.
Sources we checked: Kings Seeds: Broccoli Tasty Stems F1; Kings Seeds: Broccoli Sprouting Summer Purple; Yates NZ: How to grow broccoli; Yates NZ: Common problems of broccoli.