How to Grow Cavolo Riccio d'Italia
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Cavolo Riccio d'Italia
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
vegetableCavolo Riccio d'Italia, commonly known as Italian Kale or Lacinato Kale, is a dark green, deeply textured brassica with tightly ruffled, elongated leaves that form a loose head rather than a tight ball. This heirloom Italian variety is prized for its tender, slightly sweeter flavor compared to curly kale and produces abundant harvests over a long season. It's cold-hardy and becomes even sweeter after frost, making it ideal for fall and winter gardens.
When should you plant Cavolo Riccio d'Italia in your zone?
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Example Cavolo Riccio d'Italia timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Cavolo Riccio d'Italia
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Cavolo Riccio d'Italia
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cavolo Riccio d'Italia dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; best performance in zones 5-8 where it overwinters well
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Get my Cavolo Riccio d'Italia timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-3 true leaves, delicate and tender
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Maintain temperatures 60-70°F. Thin or transplant when 2-3 inches tall. Begin hardening off 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksRapid leaf expansion with increasingly ruffled foliage. Plant develops its characteristic texture and grows to 12-18 inches tall.
Maintain consistent watering. Side-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Watch for cabbage worms and aphids. Provide support if needed in windy locations.
Pre-Harvest
2-3 weeksPlant reaches full size with densely packed, dark green ruffled leaves. Lower leaves mature first while upper leaves continue developing.
Begin harvesting outer leaves when plant is 10-12 inches tall. Apply mulch to maintain soil temperature for fall/winter crops. Frost actually improves flavor by converting starches to sugars.
Harvest & Production
2-4 monthsMature plant continuously produces new leaves from the center. Harvested correctly, plant maintains production for months.
Harvest outer leaves from bottom up, leaving inner leaves to grow. Plants can produce for 2-3 months with proper care. In mild climates, may overwinter and produce spring harvests.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Row covers for young plants. Hand-pick caterpillars. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray. Encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps.
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Strong water spray to dislodge. Neem oil or insecticidal soap. Introduce ladybugs and lacewings. Mulch to encourage beneficial insects.
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Row covers on seedlings. Neem oil. Diatomaceous earth. Trap crops like radishes nearby.
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Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Hand-pick. Row covers. Encourage parasitic wasps with flowering plants.
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Yellow sticky traps. Insecticidal soap. Neem oil. Encourage natural predators.
Uses
Raw Salads & Chips
CulinaryYoung tender leaves are excellent raw in salads or massaged with lemon and oil. Mature leaves can be baked into crispy kale chips with olive oil and seasonings. [source]
Cooked Dishes & Soups
CulinarySauté with garlic and olive oil, add to soups, pasta dishes, and stews. The mild, slightly sweet flavor makes it more approachable than curly varieties for cooked preparations. [source]
Nutritional & Anti-inflammatory Properties
MedicinalRich in vitamins K, A, and C; contains glucosinolates and other phytonutrients with potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Supports bone health and cardiovascular function. [source]
Juicing & Smoothies
HouseholdBlends smoothly due to tender leaf texture. Combines well with fruits, ginger, and other greens for nutrient-dense beverages. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeIf allowed to bolt and flower in spring, produces attractive small yellow flowers that attract bees and beneficial insects to the garden. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting 60-90 days after transplanting when outer leaves are 8-10 inches long. Pinch or cut outer leaves from the bottom upward, leaving the growing center intact. Plants continue producing for 2-3+ months with regular harvesting. Cold sweetens the flavor, so fall/winter crops are often superior. For best tenderness, harvest in early morning after dew dries. Cut leaves cleanly at the base with a sharp knife.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Cavolo Riccio d'Italia is the original 'dinosaur kale' or 'Lacinato kale,' an heirloom variety from Tuscany that dates back centuries and remains a staple in Italian cuisine.
- 🌱 The texture and nutritional value actually improve after frost—temperatures below 32°F trigger conversion of starches to sugars, making fall and winter harvests noticeably sweeter and more tender.
- 🌱 A single mature plant can produce 1-2 pounds of harvestable leaves over a season with continuous leaf-by-leaf harvesting, making it one of the most productive vegetables per square foot.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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