Have you ever seen a plant that looks exactly like a cabbage? You may be surprised to find that there are actually quite a few plants that look a lot like cabbage. From Celery cabbage to ornamental kale, these five plants will make you do a double take.
Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast or a plant lover, you’ll be mesmerized by the uncanny resemblance between these plants and cabbage.
Let’s take a closer look at these cabbage lookalikes and see why they’re so captivating.
Key Takeaways
- There are many plants that resemble cabbage, including ornamental cabbage, celery cabbage, lettuce cabbage, cauliflower, and ornamental kale.
- These plants offer a variety of colors, textures, and flavors that can be incorporated into a healthy diet.
- Some of these plants also have medicinal properties and can aid in digestion and reduce inflammation.
- Growing these plants can add unique and eye-catching elements to any garden.
1. Ornamental Cabbage
Ornamental Cabbage boasts colorful, ruffled leaves that create an eye-catching display in any garden. The varieties of ornamental cabbage include bok choy, mushroom cabbage, broccoli rabe, Brussels sprouts, and Chinese cabbage.
Each variety has its own unique color and texture, offering a range of stunning and unique foliage to the garden. Bok choy is the most commonly grown variety, with its bright green leaves and white veins.
Mushroom cabbage is a smaller variety with deep purple leaves and striking white veins.
Broccoli rabe has thick, textured leaves that are dark green in color and have a slightly bumpy texture. Brussels sprouts are a miniature version of regular cabbage, with tightly packed small heads that are a deep green color. Finally, Chinese cabbage is a taller variety with wide, frilly leaves that are light green in color.
All of these varieties of ornamental cabbage offer a unique and colorful addition to any garden.
2. Celery Cabbage
Celery cabbage is a unique and captivating vegetable, boasting enormous, dramatic leaves that are a stunning deep green, almost too big to believe! It belongs to the Brassica oleracea family and offers a flavor that is similar to celery, hence its name.
Growing celery cabbage is fairly easy since it’s a hardy vegetable that will thrive in most climates. It’s important to ensure that the soil is loose and well-drained, and that the cabbage is not overcrowded.
Eating celery cabbage is an ideal way to incorporate its flavor and nutrition into your diet. It can be eaten raw in salads, and its large, crunchy leaves make for a great snack.
It can also be cooked and used in stir-fries, soups, and stews.
Comparing celery cabbage to regular cabbage, it has a more delicate flavor and a softer texture. Cooking celery cabbage is a simple process and can be boiled, blanched, or steamed.
Preserving celery cabbage is also an option, and it can be pickled, fermented, or frozen to last for several months.
3. Lettuce Cabbage
Lettuce cabbage is a unique and beautiful variation of cabbage, boasting a delicate texture and mild, sweet flavor. It differs from traditional cabbage and is easily recognized by its long, thin leaves and mild flavor.
It’s often used in salads, sandwiches, pesto, and soups, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Chinese cabbage and braised cabbage are common recipes that use lettuce cabbage, and cabbage rolls and cabbage soup are also popular.
Lettuce cabbage can also be roasted, stir-fried, or grilled, making it a versatile and delicious ingredient to incorporate into any meal.
4. Cauliflower
Crisp and creamy cauliflower can be a delightful addition to any meal. It’s a versatile vegetable to cook with since it has a mild taste that adapts to any combination of flavors. Cauliflower is packed with nutritional benefits, making it an ideal choice for healthy meals.
When discussing the taste of cauliflower, it’s described as having a mild flavor with a slightly nutty and earthy taste. It’s a visually appealing vegetable with its dense head of white flower buds.
Cauliflower comes in different varieties such as white, orange, and purple. It’s a cool-season crop and can be grown in mild climates in the spring and fall, or in warmer climates in the winter.
Cauliflower is a great source of dietary fiber and protein and is high in vitamins and minerals. It’s also low in calories and fat.
Cooking with cauliflower can be done in many ways, such as baking, roasting, boiling, and steaming. Its mild flavor makes it a great addition to soups, salads, casseroles, and even pizza.
5. Ornamental Kale
Ornamental kale is an eye-catching plant that adds a splash of color to the garden. It’s a member of the Brassica family, related to cabbage and cauliflower. Ornamental kale is available in many varieties, ranging from frilly, curly-leafed varieties to those with smooth, flat leaves.
It’s a cool-season plant that prefers growing conditions with temperatures between 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. When planting ornamental kale, it’s best to give it full sun and soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Fertilization requirements are also important, as the plant needs a steady supply of nutrients to thrive. It’s recommended to fertilize with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Harvesting methods typically involve cutting the leaves from the main stalk, leaving the main stalk to continue to produce more leaves.
Conclusion
You might not have known that there are other plants that look like cabbage, but they still provide the same great benefits. Ornamental Cabbage, Celery Cabbage, Lettuce Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Ornamental Kale all have the same look and texture as cabbage.
But some may worry that these plants don’t provide the same nutrition as cabbage. Rest assured, these plants are packed with nutrients and vitamins just like a traditional cabbage.
So if you’re looking for a unique twist on an old classic, these plants are a great way to go.
