Agricultural Information:

Plant Family: Brassicaceae
Scientific name: Brassica oleracea var. italica

Broccoli is a cool-season vegetable in the same family as cabbages, originally cultivated in the Mediterranean region. The plant is an annual and produces a thick central stalk topped with tight clusters of edible green flower buds. It is typically harvested before the buds open into yellow flowers which would then produce seeds.

Broccoli is commonly eaten steamed, roasted, stir-fried, or raw, and is valued for its high levels of vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants.

Halachic Information:

Kilei zera’im & kilei hakerem*: Broccoli is classified as a vegetable. Therefore, it should not be planted near other annuals or a grapevine.

*Kilei zera’im & kilei hakerem (interplanting – annuals & grapevines) generally do not apply outside of the land of Israel; the following laws apply only within the land of Israel.

Information about plants as they relate to torah and mitzvot has been generously provided by Mercaz Torah VeHa’aretz Institute.