15 Easy-To-Grow Purple Vegetables That Contain High Nutrients
Purple vegetables that contain high nutrients not only make your garden more vibrant but also give you an incredible boost of health benefits.
These richly pigmented vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support heart health, strong bones, and overall wellness.
They re surprisingly easy to grow and add striking color to your garden beds, containers, or even small urban spaces. Their unique shades also attract pollinators, making your garden more lively and productive.
With so many culinary uses, these purple veggies can be enjoyed raw, roasted, grilled, or added to everyday meals. Here are 15 beautiful and easy-to-grow purple vegetables worth planting this season.
#1 Red Cabbage
Red Cabbage adds a bold splash of purple to both gardens and salads. Packed with vitamin K, magnesium, and zinc, it s a powerhouse for bone health. Grow it in cool weather with well-drained soil and consistent watering.
Harvest the heads when they feel firm to the touch. Shred it into slaws or sauté it lightly for a nutrient-rich side dish. Its crunchy texture and vibrant color make it irresistible on the plate.
#2 Radicchio
Radicchio, also known as Red Chicory, has a slight bitterness that balances well with rich dishes. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, and water regularly to keep the soil moist. You can grill it, toss it in pasta, or enjoy it raw in salads.
The leaves turn a deeper shade as temperatures drop, giving your garden extra charm. Harvest heads when they re tight and crisp. Its tangy bite pairs beautifully with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
#3 Purple Passion Spinach
Purple Passion Spinach offers stunning foliage in bright violet hues. Grow it in fertile soil with regular watering, and it will thrive even in small garden beds or pots. Use it in juices, stir-fries, or raw in salads.
Pinch back young leaves to encourage bushier growth. Its nutritional profile is as impressive as its color, making it a versatile kitchen staple. You ll love how it brightens both meals and your garden.
#4 Purple Beans
Purple Beans grow quickly and reward you with a crunchy, sweet flavor. Sow seeds in sunny spots with well-draining soil, and keep them evenly watered. Pick the pods when they reach full size for the best taste.
They turn green when cooked but retain their nutrition, including vitamins A and C. Eat them raw for a colorful crunch in salads. Their vibrant pods make harvesting extra fun.
#5 Beets
Beets are beloved for their earthy taste and heart-healthy benefits. Plant seeds in loose soil and keep it consistently moist for strong roots.
Harvest when bulbs reach golf ball size or larger. Roast them for sweetness or grate them raw into salads. They re packed with folate and nitrates, supporting circulation and energy. Their greens are edible too, so nothing goes to waste.
#6 Redbor Kale
Redbor Kale produces deep purple leaves with a curly texture. It grows best in cool weather, becoming sweeter after frost. Provide full sun, rich soil, and steady watering for lush growth.
Pick young leaves for fresh salads or mature ones for cooking. It s high in calcium, iron, and potassium, making it nutrient-dense. Its ornamental appearance also makes it a striking border plant.
#7 Purple Amaranth
Purple Amaranth brings heart-shaped leaves with burgundy edges to your garden. Plant it in warm soil with plenty of sun for best results. Harvest tender young leaves for salads or cook mature leaves like spinach.
It s rich in protein and micronutrients, adding depth to your meals. Water regularly to keep plants healthy and vibrant. Its bold colors attract pollinators while feeding your family.
#8 Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes thrive in warm weather with well-drained soil. Plant slips in raised beds or large containers and water consistently. Harvest the tubers after the vines turn yellow, usually in late summer or fall.
Roast, mash, or fry them for a sweet, meaty flavor. Their purple varieties offer anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that protect health. The vines also sprawl beautifully, doubling as garden groundcover.
#9 Cherokee Purple
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes are prized for their smoky, sweet flavor. Plant them in sunny spots with nutrient-rich soil and sturdy support stakes. Water deeply to encourage strong roots.
Harvest when fruits feel firm yet slightly soft. Slice them for salads or sandwiches where their rich taste shines. Their deep coloring adds a rustic charm to your summer harvests.
#10 Purple Kohlrabi
Purple Kohlrabi is a crisp, bulb-shaped vegetable with a cabbage-like taste. Plant it in cool weather with fertile soil and even watering. Harvest when bulbs reach tennis ball size for tender flesh.
Slice raw into salads or steam it for a mild, nutty flavor. Its crunchy texture makes it popular in stir-fries too. This hardy crop is as pretty as it is useful.
#11 Eggplant
Eggplants add elegance to your garden with their glossy fruits and purple flowers. Plant them in full sun with rich soil and steady watering. Harvest when fruits are shiny and firm but before seeds mature.
Grill, roast, or stew them for hearty meals. They re high in fiber and antioxidants, supporting digestive and heart health. Their ornamental beauty makes them a dual-purpose plant for food and decoration.
#12 Redwing Onions
Redwing Onions are versatile bulbs with a mild, sweet flavor. Grow them in well-drained soil and full sun for the best results. Water consistently to encourage large bulbs.
Use them fresh in salads or cook them in soups and stews. They also store well, making them a reliable kitchen staple. Their purple skins add a colorful twist to any dish.
#13 Royal Snow Peas
Royal Snow Peas delight with their purple pods and crisp bite. Plant them in early spring with a trellis for climbing. Harvest pods when they re young and flat for the sweetest flavor.
Enjoy them raw or lightly stir-fried to preserve their color. They re high in vitamin C, boosting your immune system. Their unusual look makes them stand out in any vegetable garden.
#14 Purple Bell Peppers
Purple Bell Peppers begin green, fade to white, and then turn purple. Grow them in full sun with regular watering and nutrient-rich soil. Harvest when the fruits reach full color for peak sweetness.
Slice raw for salads or sauté them into dishes. Their crisp texture and grassy flavor add freshness to meals. Watching their color change is part of the fun of growing them.
#15 Purple Carrots
Purple Carrots add a surprising twist to a classic vegetable. Plant them in loose, sandy soil and keep it moist during germination. Harvest when roots are long and firm, usually after 70 days.
Eat them raw, roast them, or pickle them for extra flavor. Their anthocyanins give them both vibrant color and antioxidant power. These carrots make every dish look and taste more exciting.