How to Grow Dinosaur Kale
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Dinosaur Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
vegetableDinosaur kale, also called lacinato or black kale, is a cold-hardy brassica with distinctive dark blue-green, heavily textured leaves that resemble dinosaur skin. It's prized for its sweeter, more tender flavor compared to curly kale and exceptional nutritional density. This heirloom Italian variety is highly productive and improves in taste after frost.
When should you plant Dinosaur Kale in your zone?
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Example Dinosaur Kale timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Dinosaur Kale
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 Dinosaur Kale
Around Jun 11≈ 55 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Dinosaur Kale dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-10; best in cool-season zones 3-9
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall cotyledons emerge with two smooth oval seed leaves, followed by first true leaves with slight texture
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide bright light to prevent leggy growth; thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksPlant develops increasingly textured, deeply lobed dark green leaves arranged on a central stem; leaf nodes space wider as plant matures
Mulch around base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature; side-dress with compost every 3-4 weeks; monitor for pest damage; pinch off any flowering stems
Leaf Development
Throughout growing seasonCharacteristic dinosaur-skin texture fully develops on mature leaves; plant becomes bushy with multiple tiers of harvestable foliage
Begin harvesting outer leaves once plant has 8-10 true leaves; continue harvesting promotes further production; maintain consistent watering schedule
Cold Hardening
Ongoing in cool seasonsAfter first frost, leaves become sweeter and more tender as starches convert to sugars; color may deepen or shift slightly
Avoid harvesting heavily during hard freezes; harvest after foliage thaws naturally; cold exposure actually improves flavor quality
Flowering
3-4 weeks before plant senescenceIf plant bolts, tall flowering stalks with small yellow flowers emerge from leaf nodes; occurs in spring if overwintered or during excessive heat
Remove flower stalks promptly to redirect energy to leaf production; once flowering accelerates, leaf quality declines; plant is still edible but less tender
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick caterpillars; use floating row covers at planting; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray weekly
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Hand-pick eggs and larvae; use row covers until flowering stage; neem oil spray every 7-10 days
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Use reflective row covers; apply neem oil or spinosad spray; diatomaceous earth around plant base
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Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs; neem oil
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Hand-pick and destroy; remove plant debris; plant cover crops; neem oil spray
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Ensure air circulation; avoid overhead watering; sulfur dust; milk spray (1:9 ratio with water); remove affected leaves
Uses
Raw Salads & Slaws
CulinaryDinosaur kale's tender leaves are less bitter than curly varieties when young, making them excellent raw in salads, slaws, and smoothies. The wrinkled texture absorbs dressings beautifully. [source]
Cooking & Sautéing
CulinaryMature leaves excel in sautéed preparations, soups, stews, and baked kale chips. The robust texture holds up well to heat and becomes sweet and tender when cooked. [source]
Nutritional & Immune Support
MedicinalDinosaur kale is exceptionally high in vitamins A, C, K, iron, and calcium. It contains glucosinolates (compounds studied for anti-cancer properties) and lutein for eye health. [source]
Natural Dye Source
HouseholdKale leaves can be used to create natural dyes producing green and blue-green hues for textiles and craft projects. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeIf allowed to flower, kale blooms attract bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects that support garden ecosystems. [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 once plant has 8-10 true leaves, typically 4-6 weeks after transplanting. Harvest leaves from bottom up, removing leaves that are 8-12 inches long. Continue harvesting to encourage continued production throughout the season. Flavor and tenderness improve significantly after the first frost. In cool climates, plants can produce for months through fall and winter. Morning harvest yields crispest leaves. Always leave at least 4-6 young leaves at the top to continue growth.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Dinosaur kale gets its name from the bumpy, deeply textured leaves that resemble dinosaur skin—a trait that also makes it more tender than curly varieties.
- 🌱 Cold temperatures trigger the conversion of starches to sugars in the leaves, making dinosaur kale noticeably sweeter after frost; some gardeners harvest specifically after the first freeze.
- 🌱 This Italian heirloom variety (cultivated for centuries in Tuscany) was nearly lost to extinction but was rediscovered and preserved by seed savers in the 1990s.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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