How to Grow Kale Scarlet Curly

Kale Scarlet Curly

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

vegetable

Scarlet Curly Kale is a stunning ornamental and edible cruciferous vegetable with deeply frilled, ruffled leaves that display vibrant red, purple, and green coloring. This cold-hardy variety combines nutritional powerhouse status with striking visual appeal, making it equally at home in kitchen gardens or decorative landscapes. The tender, curly leaves develop sweeter flavor after frost exposure.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade in hot climates

💧

Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; 1-1.5 inches per week; water deeply at soil level to avoid leaf diseases

📏

Spacing: 12-18 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 50-65 days

🌱

Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches for seeds; transplants planted at same depth as nursery pot

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost aged manure bone meal kelp meal

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-10; prefers cooler seasons in zones 9-10

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Cotyledons emerge within 5-10 days; true leaves begin forming with characteristic kale texture

Maintain consistent moisture; provide bright light to prevent leggy growth; thin seedlings to prevent crowding

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops sturdy stem and increasingly frilly leaves; red and purple coloring becomes more pronounced

Begin fertilizing with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks; ensure consistent watering; monitor for flea beetles on young leaves

Leaf Development

3-4 weeks

Plant reaches mature size with deeply curled, textured foliage; colors deepen and intensify

Begin harvesting outer leaves when plant is 8-10 inches tall; side-dress with nitrogen-rich compost; ensure adequate spacing for air circulation

Productive Harvest

4-8 weeks or until temperature drops below 10°F

Plant continuously produces new inner leaves; flavor sweetens after light frosts

Harvest regularly to encourage continued production; expose to frost for improved taste; remove any yellowing lower leaves; continue watering during dry spells

Cold Dormancy/Extended Season

Variable; extends to spring in zones 3-7

Plant survives freezing temperatures and continues producing through winter in mild climates

Reduce watering as growth slows; protect with row covers in severe climates; harvest selectively as plant can survive months below freezing

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

beets onions garlic potatoes beans chamomile dill thyme marigolds

Avoid planting near:

tomatoes strawberries fennel kohlrabi other brassicas (space 18+ inches apart)

Common Pests

Use floating row covers on young plants; apply neem oil or spinosad; encourage beneficial predators; plant radish trap crops nearby
Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; install row covers before butterflies lay eggs
Apply Bt spray; encourage parasitic wasps; hand-pick large caterpillars
Spray with strong water jet; use insecticidal soap; release ladybugs; plant yarrow and marigolds to attract predators
Use yellow sticky traps; spray insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators; improve air circulation

Uses

🍳

Nutritious Leafy Green

Culinary

Scarlet Curly Kale is extremely nutrient-dense, rich in vitamins A, C, K, calcium, and antioxidants. Use raw in salads for tender young leaves, or lightly sauté, steam, or massage into salads for mature leaves. [source]

🍳

Crispy Kale Chips

Culinary

Toss leaves with oil and seasonings, then bake until crispy for a healthy snack. The frilly texture creates exceptionally crispy chips with excellent texture. [source]

💊

Anti-inflammatory Benefits

Medicinal

The high concentration of antioxidants and sulforaphane compounds in kale supports anti-inflammatory and potential cancer-preventive properties. Consumed fresh or as juice for maximum nutrient retention. [source]

🏠

Ornamental Edible Gardening

Household

The striking red, purple, and green coloration makes Scarlet Curly Kale a beautiful addition to decorative gardens, landscape beds, and container plantings while providing food. [source]

🦋

Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Support

Wildlife

When allowed to flower (second year or from seed), kale produces small yellow flowers that attract bees and other beneficial pollinators 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 outer leaves once plant reaches 8-10 inches tall, when leaves are tender. Snap or cut leaves at the base where they meet the stem. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production. Avoid harvesting the central growing point until late in season. Flavor improves dramatically after light frost exposure. Best harvested in early morning for crispest texture. Can continue harvesting through winter in most zones.

Fun Facts

🌱 Kale's flavor becomes noticeably sweeter after exposure to frost, as cold temperatures convert starches to sugars—making fall and winter harvests the most flavorful.
🌱 Scarlet Curly Kale's vibrant red and purple pigmentation comes from anthocyanins, the same antioxidants found in blueberries and red wine.
🌱 A single kale plant can produce leaves for many months or even years; some gardeners have kept the same plants producing through multiple seasons in mild climates.

Want personalized planting timelines?

Get started free