Red Express Cabbage Seeds – Heirloom Non-GMO Open-Pollinated

Red Express Cabbage Seeds

Grow an early, space-efficient red cabbage with Red Express, Brassica oleracea. This heirloom, Non-GMO, open-pollinated variety forms compact plants with firm, richly colored purple-red heads and is particularly useful for gardeners who want a quicker cool-season cabbage harvest.

Red Express generally reaches maturity in about 63 days under suitable conditions. Its medium-size heads commonly reach approximately 2–4 pounds and work beautifully in slaw, salads, stir-fries, braised dishes, pickles, and other fresh or cooked recipes.

Product Highlights

• Early-maturing Red Express red cabbage.
• Heirloom, Non-GMO, open-pollinated variety.
• Compact plants with tight purple-red heads.
• Approximately 63 days to maturity.
• Heads commonly reach about 2–4 lb under suitable conditions.
• Well suited to cool spring and fall gardens.

Plant Profile

• Common Name: Red Express Cabbage
• Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea
• Variety: Red Express
• Type: Red Heading Cabbage
• Cultivar Traits: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
• Crop Life Cycle: Annual vegetable crop
• Growth Habit: Compact and heading
• Mature Height: About 8–12 inches
• Plant Spacing: About 12–18 inches
• Row Spacing: About 24–36 inches
• Head Color: Deep purple to red-purple
• Typical Head Weight: About 2–4 lb
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil
• Preferred Soil pH: Approximately 6.0–7.0
• Days to Maturity: About 63 days

Growing Overview

Red Express is a cool-season cabbage. For a spring harvest, start seeds indoors about 4–6 weeks before transplanting. For a fall crop, time sowing so plants develop their heads as temperatures become cooler.

Sow approximately 1/4 inch deep and keep the growing medium consistently moist but not waterlogged. Under favorable conditions, germination commonly takes about 7–12 days.

Harden seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors. Space plants about 12–18 inches apart and provide roughly 24–36 inches between rows where garden space permits.

Soil & Water

Cabbage needs fertile soil and a steady supply of moisture to develop firm, crisp heads. A soil pH around 6.0–7.0 is suitable.

Avoid severe swings between drought and saturated conditions. Consistent watering is especially important while heads are forming.

Cool-Season Performance

Red Express was selected for relatively rapid maturity and performs particularly well in northern and short-season conditions. Its compact habit also makes it useful for raised beds and smaller vegetable gardens.

Cabbage generally performs best during cool weather. Prolonged summer heat can reduce head quality, so gardeners in warmer regions often get better results from early spring or fall planting.

Harvest & Enjoy

Red Express generally reaches maturity in about 63 days under suitable conditions. Check heads as harvest approaches and cut them when they feel firm and solid when gently squeezed.

The crisp purple-red leaves can be shredded for slaw and salads, sliced for stir-fries, braised, pickled, fermented, or incorporated into soups and other cooked dishes.

What to Expect

The 2–4 pound head range and 63-day maturity are useful variety guidelines rather than guarantees. Temperature, spacing, soil fertility, available moisture, planting date, and local growing conditions can all affect head size and harvest timing.

Head color can range from deep red-purple to rich purple depending on maturity, temperature, and growing conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly does Red Express Cabbage mature?

Red Express is listed at approximately 63 days to maturity under suitable conditions, making it an early red cabbage compared with many larger, later varieties.

How large are Red Express cabbage heads?

Heads commonly reach about 2–4 pounds. Actual size varies with spacing, fertility, moisture, and growing conditions.

Can Red Express grow in containers?

Yes. The variety is relatively compact and is listed as container suitable. Use a sufficiently large container with drainage holes, fertile potting mix, consistent moisture, and adequate sunlight.

Can I grow Red Express in partial shade?

Yes, some partial shade is tolerated, although full sun generally supports stronger head development.

Is cabbage frost tolerant?

Established cabbage tolerates cool conditions and can withstand some below-freezing temperatures later in growth, but young seedlings still need appropriate acclimation and protection from severe cold.