Crop type: Brussels Sprouts
Brassica oleracea (Gemmifera Group) ‘Maximus’
Common name: Brussels sprout ‘Maximus’
Crop slug: brussels-sprouts
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile. Check the source and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Maximus’ is a hardy annual Brussels sprout with an RHS Award of Garden Merit. Tall stems carry a high yield of smooth, sweet-tasting buttons of excellent quality. The cultivar is described as easy to grow and notably reliable, combining strong disease resistance with a long standing period.
Sprouts can be harvested from September through February, so one planting can contribute to both early-autumn meals and the traditional midwinter crop. Its prolonged harvest and dependable button quality are the main reasons to choose this cultivar.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.5–1 metre
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
The tall, relatively narrow plants have a columnar habit. Allow enough space for the leaves and root system even though the stated ultimate spread is modest, and firm the soil so the loaded stems remain stable.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Loam and sand
- Moisture
- Well-drained
- Soil pH
- Neutral or alkaline
Use fertile, non-acid soil with free drainage. Incorporating well-rotted organic matter before planting supports steady growth, but the final surface should be firm around each transplant.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- South- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H4 — hardy through average UK winters, with a sheltered site helping the tall crop withstand colder and windier conditions
Choose a sunny position away from strong winds. The crop stands for many months, so firm planting, earthing up and staking where necessary will protect the upright stems.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
| Season | Stem | Flowers | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | — | — | — | — |
| Summer | Green | — | — | — |
| Autumn | Green | — | — | — |
| Winter | Green | — | — | — |
Green stems are recorded from summer through winter. The smooth edible buttons are central to the profile description, but the seasonal table does not assign them a fruit colour. An em dash means that no colour is stated for that field and season.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Brassica contains upright annuals, biennials and perennials with alternate, often glaucous leaves, long taproots and clusters of cross-shaped yellow or white flowers. It includes major food crops such as cabbages, turnips, mustards and oilseed rape.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Grow ‘Maximus’ in fertile, moist but well-drained, non-acid soil in full sun. Sow indoors from February, or sow directly outdoors from March to April at a depth of 1cm with 30cm between seed rows. Move plants to their final generous spacing while young and firm them securely.
Propagation
Propagate by seed, started indoors or sown directly outdoors.
Pruning
No pruning is required. Remove lower leaves as they age or as harvesting progresses.
Pests
Possible pests include birds, cabbage caterpillars, cabbage gall weevil, cabbage root fly, cabbage stem flea beetle, cabbage whitefly, cutworms, flea beetles, mealy cabbage aphid, slugs, snails and swede midge. Fine mesh and regular inspection provide broad protection.
Diseases
The profile describes ‘Maximus’ as generally disease-free and records excellent resistance to clubroot and downy mildew. Continue to rotate brassicas and maintain good soil and airflow, as resistance is not a substitute for preventive cultivation.