How to Grow Kale Scarlet Lacinato
Kale Scarlet Lacinato
Brassica oleracea var. laciniata
vegetableScarlet Lacinato is a stunning ornamental and edible kale variety featuring deeply lobed, dark green leaves with striking red/burgundy veining and stems. This cold-hardy brassica combines visual appeal with excellent nutritional value, becoming sweeter after frost exposure. It's perfect for both vegetable gardens and decorative landscape plantings.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9; excellent cold tolerance makes it ideal for fall and winter harvest
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Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksCotyledons emerge, followed by true leaves with characteristic lobed margins. Small plants are tender and delicate.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to 3-4 inches apart.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops increasingly lobed, textured leaves. Red veining becomes more pronounced on stems and leaf midribs. Plant grows steadily taller and wider.
Water consistently and apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Mulch around base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Remove any yellowing lower leaves.
Leaf Expansion
3-4 weeksMature leaves reach full size with deep lacinations and vibrant red veining. Plant becomes full and bushy with dense foliage production.
Begin harvesting outer leaves to encourage continued production. Increase nitrogen fertilizer. Monitor for pests actively as plant attracts more attention.
Production/Harvest
6-12 weeks or until frostPlant maintains steady leaf production. Cold exposure intensifies red coloring and sweetens flavor through starch conversion to sugars.
Harvest regularly to maintain vigor and bushiness. Light frost improves taste. Continue watering during dry periods. Remove any damaged or diseased leaves promptly.
Seed Production (Optional)
4-6 monthsIf left unharvested over winter/spring, plant produces tall flower stalks with small yellow flowers. Seeds mature in elongated pods.
Prevent unwanted cross-pollination if saving seeds. Allow pods to fully dry on plant before harvesting. Store seeds in cool, dry conditions.
Common Pests
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Hand-pick larvae; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; encourage parasitic wasps; row covers for seedlings
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Row covers on young plants; neem oil or spinosad spray; diatomaceous earth; trap crops with mustard greens
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Bt spray; pheromone traps; hand-pick caterpillars; encourage natural predators
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Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage ladybugs and lacewings; reflective mulch
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Yellow sticky traps; reflective mulch; neem oil; vacuum adults with handheld device; encourage native predators
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Improve drainage; rotate crops 4-6 years away from brassicas; lime acidic soil; use resistant varieties when available
Uses
Salads and Raw Preparations
CulinaryYoung, tender leaves are excellent raw in salads with their striking visual appeal. The red veining and lobed texture make Scarlet Lacinato visually stunning on any plate. [source]
Cooking and Sautéing
CulinaryMature leaves are perfect for sautéing, steaming, or braising with garlic and olive oil. The texture holds up well to cooking and becomes tender yet maintains structure. [source]
Nutritional and Health Benefits
MedicinalKale is exceptionally rich in vitamins K, C, and A, plus calcium, iron, and glucosinolates (compounds with potential anti-cancer properties). The red pigmentation indicates additional anthocyanin antioxidants. [source]
Ornamental and Decorative Display
CraftScarlet Lacinato's striking red veining and deeply lobed leaves make it ideal for ornamental garden borders, flower arrangements, and fall/winter landscape design. Often used in decorative kale displays. [source]
Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeWhen left to bolt and flower, kale produces abundant small yellow flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Beneficial insects feed on pollen and nectar while controlling pest populations. [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 plants are 8-10 inches tall by snapping or cutting leaves at the base; leave inner leaves to continue growing. Harvest in morning after dew dries for best crispness. Cold-hardy varieties improve in flavor after light frost (below 40°F). Can harvest continuously for 2-3 months. For mature head harvest, wait until full size and cut entire plant at soil line. Young tender leaves are milder; mature leaves are more robust and nutritious.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Scarlet Lacinato combines the deeply lobed 'Lacinato' leaf texture (also called 'dinosaur kale') with striking red veining, making it one of the most visually dramatic kale varieties available for edible landscaping.
- 🌱 Kale becomes sweeter after frost exposure because cold triggers the plant to convert starches into sugars for frost protection—a process called 'chilling sweetening' that makes winter-harvested kale noticeably more flavorful than fall harvests.
- 🌱 A single mature kale plant can produce leaves for 2-3 months with proper continuous harvesting, making it one of the most productive long-season vegetables for the garden with minimal replanting needed.
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