Crop type: Kohlrabi
Brassica oleracea (Gongylodes Group) ‘Kolibri’ AGM
Common name: Kohlrabi ‘Kolibri’ AGM
Crop slug: kohl-rabi
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
‘Kolibri’ is a compact, hardy kohlrabi grown as an annual vegetable. Its swollen stem has attractive purple skin enclosing pure-white, succulent flesh, while upright green leaves emerge from the sides and crown. It is quick and easy to grow, reaching harvest in under eight weeks from sowing.
The combination of saturated purple exterior, white cut flesh and upright green foliage makes this cultivar immediately recognisable. Harvest while young, because an overmature stem becomes bitter. The RHS profile displays an Award of Garden Merit.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
The compact clump occupies little ground and suits close vegetable spacing or containers. The edible stem should be taken before it expands beyond its tender young stage.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Loam, chalk or sand
- Moisture
- Well-drained
- Soil pH
- Neutral or alkaline
Grow in fertile, light, non-acid ground with reliable drainage. Incorporate organic matter to retain enough moisture for rapid even swelling, then avoid both drought and waterlogging.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- South- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H3 — hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK
Use a warm sunny position for the fastest early crop. The H3 rating means cold conditions can interrupt growth, so protect spring seedlings and avoid planting out before temperatures remain above the crop threshold.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
The smooth swollen stem is deep purple outside, with pure-white succulent flesh revealed in a cut section. Upright leaves are fresh green in spring, summer and autumn. Leaf stalks radiate from the sides of the round stem, giving the characteristic kohlrabi silhouette. Flowers are not part of a harvest-stage plant.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Brassicas may be annual, biennial or perennial. Most are upright with alternate, often glaucous leaves, long taproots and clusters of cross-shaped yellow or white flowers. The genus includes many important food crops.
Safety
No specific handling warning is listed on the exact RHS profile. Peel the outer skin where needed and wash leaves and stems thoroughly before eating.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Sow directly about 1cm deep in fertile, light, non-acid, well-drained soil in full sun, leaving 30cm between rows. Once first true leaves appear, thin seedlings to 15cm apart. Keep the ground consistently moist so the purple stems swell rapidly without turning woody.
Harvest in under eight weeks while stems are young, tender and no larger than the recommended kohlrabi harvest range. The pure-white flesh can be eaten raw or lightly cooked.
Propagation
Propagate by seed. Sow in small batches for a succession of compact purple stems.
Suggested locations
- Sunny vegetable plot
- Raised bed
- Large patio container
- Early protected crop
Pruning
No pruning is required. Remove only damaged lower leaves and harvest the whole stem at maturity.
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, cabbage caterpillars, cabbage root fly, cabbage whitefly, cutworms, flea beetles, slugs and snails.
Diseases
May be susceptible to black rot, club root, downy mildew, grey mould and leaf spot. Rotation, non-acid soil and good airflow reduce risk.