How to Grow Curly Kale Ornamental Purple

Curly Kale Ornamental Purple

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

vegetable

Ornamental purple curly kale is a cold-hardy brassica with deeply frilled, ruffled leaves that range from deep purple to burgundy. Prized for both visual appeal in landscapes and culinary use, it becomes sweeter after frost exposure. This variety offers exceptional ornamental value while remaining fully edible.

Looking for a specific variety?

Winterbor Redbor Lacinato Russian Red Red Russian Peacock Purple

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; tolerates partial shade

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Water: Consistent moisture, 1-1.5 inches per week; avoid waterlogging; more critical during leaf development

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Spacing: 12-18 inches

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Days to maturity: 55-75 days

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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches for seeds; transplants at soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost aged manure nitrogen-rich fertilizer bone meal

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 2-9; best in cooler zones 3-7

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

Growth Stages

Seedling

10-14 days

Tiny purple-tinged cotyledons emerge; first true leaves develop with slight waviness

Keep soil consistently moist; provide bright light to prevent legginess; protect from wind; thin to strongest seedlings

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple true leaves with increasing curl and frillation; purple coloration intensifies; stems thicken

Water regularly; apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks; mulch around base; watch for cabbage worms

Leaf Development & Color Intensification

2-3 weeks

Deep purple color fully develops; leaf margins become highly frilled and ruffled; plant grows bushy and compact

Continue regular watering; reduce nitrogen to emphasize purple color; thin lower leaves for airflow if needed; monitor for pests

Mature Harvest Stage

2-4 weeks or until heavy frost/snow

Plant reaches full size with densely packed, deeply curled purple leaves; flavor sweetens after light frost

Begin outer leaf harvesting; allow frost exposure to enhance sweetness; continue consistent watering; can tolerate freezing temperatures

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beets onions chamomile dill thyme potatoes celery marigolds nasturtiums

Avoid planting near:

Pole beans tomatoes fennel strawberries other brassicas within 12 inches

Common Pests

Hand-pick caterpillars; use row covers; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); plant marigolds and nasturtiums as trap crops
Scout regularly; hand-pick; use Bt spray; encourage parasitic wasps with flowering plants
Use row covers on young plants; spray neem oil; dust with food-grade diatomaceous earth; maintain consistent moisture
Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs; plant garlic and chives nearby
Use sticky traps; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects; avoid excess nitrogen

Uses

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Nutritious Leafy Green

Culinary

Purple curly kale is rich in vitamins A, C, K, and minerals; can be eaten raw in salads, massaged for tenderness, sautéed, steamed, or added to smoothies. The purple varieties contain additional anthocyanins with antioxidant properties. [source]

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Cold-Sweetened Vegetable

Culinary

Exposure to frost converts starches to sugars, making post-frost kale noticeably sweeter. Perfect for winter salads, soups, and braised dishes when other fresh greens are scarce. [source]

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Ornamental Landscape Plant

Household

Deep purple frilly leaves provide striking visual interest in vegetable gardens, containers, and ornamental plantings. Looks beautiful alongside flowers and serves as an edible focal point. [source]

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Anti-inflammatory Superfood

Medicinal

Contains sulforaphane, kaempferol, and other compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventive properties. Purple varieties specifically contain anthocyanins linked to improved cardiovascular health. [source]

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Beneficial Insect Attractor

Wildlife

Flowering kale plants (if left unharvested) attract pollinators and predatory insects that control garden pests. Kale flowers are also edible with a mild broccoli-like flavor. [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 outer leaves when 8-10 inches long, leaving inner leaves to continue growth (cut-and-come-again method). Harvest in morning for best crispness. Flavor improves significantly after light frost (28-32°F). Can harvest continuously from fall through winter in mild climates. Entire plant can be harvested before hard freeze, or leave in ground under mulch for extended harvest.

Fun Facts

🌱 Purple curly kale's ornamental appeal earned it popularity as a winter decorative vegetable in Europe before becoming a modern superfood.
🌱 Kale is more frost-hardy than nearly any garden vegetable, surviving temperatures as low as -10°F once established; the purple pigment actually increases as temperatures drop.
🌱 A single kale plant can produce leaves for 2-3 years if managed as a perennial in mild climates, though it's typically grown as an annual or cool-season crop.

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