RHS Plants
RHS Plants

Shop

Information & Help

My account

cabbage (savoy) 'Invernale Mantovano'

savoy cabbage or Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group) Mantova

30% off
Product Image
A wonderfully wrinkled, winter cabbage resistant to colder temperatures. 'Invernale Mantovano' is a late, large-headed savoy cabbage (named after the region in France) more tender and sweet than standard green and red cabbages. The emerald foliage is decorative enough to be planted alongside ornamental plants and flowers until it is harvested from November onwards.

How to care for cabbage of Mantova:

Cabbages grow best in firm, fertile soil that retains moisture but drains well. Before planting, dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost to enrich the soil and help it hold water. Choose a sunny, open position, as cabbages need good light to develop strong, healthy heads.

Keep the soil weed-free and apply a mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Protect young plants from slugs and pigeons, and cover with mesh or fleece to prevent caterpillar damage. Feed with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser as they grow, particularly once they start to heart up.

Harvest when heads feel firm and full, cutting at the base with a sharp knife. Remove the whole plant or leave the stump in the ground as it often produces smaller secondary heads or leaves which are edible.

Sowing instructions:

Early sowings, from January, can be made into pots or seed trays under glass at 55°F (13°C). Germination takes 1-2 weeks. Pot on as the seedlings grow and gradually harden off before planting out, spacing plants 40-45cm (16-18in) apart between plants and 45-60cm (18-24in) between the rows. Alternatively, sow later in spring into shallow drills in a well-prepared seedbed, thinning seedlings to 10cm (4in) apart.

When plants reach 15cm (6in) tall, transplant to where they are to grow, spacing as detailed above and firming in well. Can also be sown in October for overwintering (with some protection) and an earlier crop the following spring. Protect from slugs and net against pigeons.
Eventual height:
0.3m
Eventual spread:
0.45m
Position:

Full sun / light shade

Rate of growth:

Average

Soil:

Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Hardiness:

Fully hardy

Product options

1
Buy Now
Delivery options (pick your preferred option at checkout)
Seed Packets (only)£2.99
Named Day Delivery£10.99

Goes well with
Add to wishlist

cauliflower 'Igloo'

cauliflower or Brassica oleracea (Botrytis Group) 'Igloo'

£3.29  £2.63
View details
Add to wishlist

parsnip 'Tender and True' F1

parsnip or Pastinaca sativa 'Tender and True' F1

£2.79  £2.23
View details
Add to wishlist

perpetual spinach

perpetual spinach or Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. cicla

£2.99  £2.39
View details
Add to wishlist

leek 'Musselburgh'

leek or Allium porrum 'Musselburgh'

£2.99  £2.39
View details
Add to wishlist

Tent cloche

From £67.49
View options
Add to wishlist

RocketGro farmyard manure

£9.99
View details
Add to wishlist

Modular hoop tunnel - 2.7m

£29.99
View details
Add to wishlist

Large slate plant labels - set of 4

From £19.99
View options
Add to wishlist

Folding garden planting ruler

£8.99
View details
Become an RHS Member today and save 30% on your first year
Join now

Keep in touch

View our Privacy Policy
Contact us
Cookies
Terms
Privacy

© RHS Enterprises Limited 2026
Registered in England & Wales No. 01211648. | VAT No. GB461532757 | Registered Office: 80 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PE.

All sales help fund the charitable work of the RHS.