How to Grow Kale Scarlet
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Kale Scarlet
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
vegetableScarlet Kale is a stunning ornamental and edible brassica featuring deeply frilled leaves with striking deep red-purple coloring and prominent veining. This cold-hardy leafy green offers both nutritional value and dramatic garden aesthetics, becoming even more vibrant after frost exposure. It grows as a non-heading plant that produces abundant tender leaves throughout the growing season.
When should you plant Kale Scarlet in your zone?
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Example Kale Scarlet timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Kale Scarlet
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 Kale Scarlet
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Kale Scarlet dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9; exceptionally cold-hardy and sweetest after light frosts
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Get my Kale Scarlet timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, cotyledons still visible. Early leaves are green with minimal purple coloration.
Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to proper spacing or transplant when 3-4 true leaves emerge. Protect from slugs and flea beetles with row covers.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops 4-8 deeply frilled leaves; purple-red coloration intensifies as plant matures. Leaf texture becomes more ruffled and ornamental.
Begin regular fertilizing with balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Maintain consistent watering. Watch for cabbage worms and apply organic controls if needed.
Leaf Development
4-6 weeksPlant reaches productive height (12-24 inches depending on variety) with abundant deeply frilled, intensely colored leaves. Purple-red pigmentation peaks with cooler temperatures.
Begin harvesting outer leaves from bottom up to encourage continued production. Continue fertilizing and watering. Color deepens after light frosts.
Peak Production
6-10 weeks or moreFull-sized plant producing numerous tender, harvestable outer leaves continuously. Colors are most vibrant; flavor is optimal.
Harvest regularly from the base upward to maintain productivity and prevent bolting. Continue watering and fertilizing. Cold hardiness protects plant through fall and early winter in most zones.
Maturity & Decline
Variable; plant can persist months in cool climatesPlant may eventually bolt, producing a central flowering stalk as temperatures warm or in late spring. Remaining leaves become tougher and more bitter.
Harvest remaining leaves before bolting if desired. Plant has completed its useful production cycle. Remove plant to prevent disease and make space for new crops.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Row covers on young plants; hand-pick caterpillars; Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; encourage parasitic wasps
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Row covers for young seedlings; kaolin clay spray; neem oil; encourage ground beetles and parasitic wasps
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Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil; release ladybugs or parasitic wasps
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and
Hand-pick at night; copper tape barriers; beer traps; diatomaceous earth; encourage ground beetles and birds
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Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; reflective mulch; encourage natural predators
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Hand-pick; Bt spray; row covers; encourage parasitic wasps and predatory insects
Uses
Nutritional Powerhouse
CulinaryScarlet Kale is packed with vitamins K, A, C, calcium, and iron. The deeply frilled leaves can be sautéed, steamed, massaged into salads, or added to smoothies. Younger, tender leaves are less bitter and ideal for raw consumption. [source]
Chips and Crisps
CulinaryFinely torn or whole Scarlet Kale leaves can be tossed with oil and seasoning, then baked at low temperature (250-300°F) until crispy to create nutritious vegetable chips. [source]
Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory Support
MedicinalThe vibrant purple-red pigmentation indicates high anthocyanin content and other polyphenols with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Regular consumption may support heart health and cellular protection. [source]
Ornamental Garden Display
HouseholdWith its striking deep purple-red frilled foliage, Scarlet Kale serves as a beautiful ornamental plant in flower beds, borders, or containers, rivaling purely decorative plants while remaining fully edible. [source]
Beneficial Insect Attraction
WildlifeWhen allowed to flower, Kale attracts pollinators and beneficial insects. Its brassica family connection provides host plants for important butterfly and insect species, supporting local ecosystem health. [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 plant is 8-10 inches tall. Pinch or cut leaves from the bottom and outer edges, leaving inner crown intact for continued growth. Morning harvest after dew dries yields crispest leaves. Flavor and tenderness improve dramatically after light frosts (28-32°F). Mature leaves are best harvested when 6-12 inches long. Plant can produce for several months in cool climates. For baby kale, harvest at 4-6 weeks when leaves are 3-4 inches long.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Scarlet Kale's color and flavor actually improve after exposure to light frost; temperatures between 28-32°F convert starches to sugars, making the plant sweeter and more tender while intensifying the purple-red pigmentation.
- 🌱 Kale is one of the most cold-hardy vegetables and can be harvested well into winter in most climates, sometimes through December in zone 6 and beyond without protection.
- 🌱 The name 'kale' likely derives from the Old English word 'cole,' meaning cabbage, and Scarlet Kale is technically a non-heading variety of cabbage that has been bred for leaf production rather than head formation.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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