Swede
Brassica napus var. napobrassica
Also called Rutabaga and Neep
Garden plant · Herbs, veg & fruitSOW IT IN JUNE, not spring. Sown early it bolts and gets mildew; sown late it swells through autumn and the frost makes it sweet.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 4 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun
- Feed
- Every 21 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a cold winter RHS H5, to -15°C
- Size
- 0.4 m tall · 0.4 m across
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Origin
- A cross of cabbage and turnip
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects horses. Signs: stomach and gut irritation, with belly pain (colic).
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-04.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.