How to Grow Kale

Beginner-Friendly

Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

A hardy brassica green that improves in flavour after frost. Cut-and-come-again harvesting extends the season.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity
50–65 days
typical
Per Square Foot
1
Plant Spacing
30 cm / 12"
Sun
6+ hours
Water
1.0" / 25 mm
Fertilization
moderate feeder

Growing Notes

Direct sow or transplant in early spring or late summer. Harvest outer leaves to keep plant producing.

Varieties & Cultivars

10 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

Also called Lacinato or Dinosaur kale

(1)
Black Cabbage
55–70 days Open-Pollinated

tender texture; cold sweetens flavour

Height
12–24" (30–61 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.8 oz (80 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
4–9
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Curly

(4)
Redbor
55–65 days Hybrid

60-90cm tall; strikingly ornamental; colour deepens after frost; 2001 AAS winner; good fresh or cooked

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.1 oz (30 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
4 years
Scarlet
55–65 days Open-Pollinated

vigorous grower

Height
24–30" (61–76 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.1 oz (30 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years
Vates Blue Curled
50–60 days Open-Pollinated

cold and heat tolerant; good for chips

Height
20–24" (51–61 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.9 oz (25 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years
Winterbor
55–65 days Hybrid

excellent winter hardiness

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.1 oz (30 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
4 years

Flat

(3)
Dwarf Siberian
45–55 days Open-Pollinated

very tender raw; extremely cold hardy

Height
12–20" (30–51 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
0.9 oz (25 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years
Lacinato
55–65 days Open-Pollinated

tender and sweet; great raw

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.2 oz (35 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years
Red Russian
45–55 days Open-Pollinated

oak-leaf shaped grey-green leaves; extremely cold hardy; very sweet

Height
24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.2 oz (35 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
2–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Italian heirloom

(1)
Napoli
50–65 days Open-Pollinated

mild sweet flavour; slow bolting; good for cut-and-come-again

Height
12–18" (30–46 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.5 oz (70 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
4–9
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Japanese variety

(1)
Kyoto
50–65 days Open-Pollinated

mild tender leaves; attractive ornamental appearance

Height
12–18" (30–46 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.3 oz (65 g)
Support
none
Harvest
cut-and-come-again
USDA Zones
4–9
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside kale, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Dill : Dill attracts beneficial wasps that control kale pests
Mint : Mint deters flea beetles from kale (grow in containers)
Garlic : Garlic deters flea beetles and aphids from kale
Rosemary : Rosemary repels cabbage moths from kale
Onion : Onion scent deters cabbage pests from kale
Sage : Sage repels cabbage moths from kale
Beet : Beets loosen subsoil benefiting kale roots
Thyme : Thyme repels cabbage worms from kale
Spinach : Both cool-season greens; spinach fills space beneath kale
Rhubarb : Rhubarb's large leaves shade kale roots in summer heat

Keep Apart

Tomato : Both heavy feeders; kale is a brassica that competes for nutrients

Square Foot Spacing

1 per sq ft

12" apart (entire square)

View full spacing chart →

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