How to Grow Lacinato Kale
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Lacinato Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
vegetableLacinato kale, also called dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale, is a non-heading brassica with deeply wrinkled, dark blue-green leaves that are sweeter and more tender than curly varieties. It's a cool-season crop prized for its nutritional density and distinctive appearance in both gardens and kitchens.
When should you plant Lacinato Kale in your zone?
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Example Lacinato Kale timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Lacinato 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 Lacinato Kale
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lacinato Kale dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; prefers cooler seasons and can overwinter in many regions
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Seedling
2-3 weeksYoung plants with 2-4 true leaves emerge within 7-10 days. Cotyledons are round; true leaves show the characteristic wrinkled texture.
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light and protect from heat stress. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding. Fertilize lightly with dilute liquid fertilizer.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlants develop the distinctive deeply crinkled, dark blue-green foliage. Multiple leaves form along a central stem with no heading formation.
Water consistently and deeply. Mulch around base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Side-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Monitor for pests.
Leaf Expansion
3-4 weeksLeaves grow progressively larger and more textured. The plant becomes fuller and bushier with harvestable leaves forming from the base upward.
Continue consistent watering and feeding. Remove any yellow or damaged lower leaves. Pinch off any flower buds if they appear to redirect energy to leaf growth.
Mature/Harvest Ready
Ongoing; 2-4 months of harvestPlant reaches full size with abundant, large, deeply wrinkled leaves ready for harvest. Leaves are sweetest after a light frost.
Begin harvesting outer leaves when 8-10 inches long. Continue watering and light feeding. In fall/winter, the plant often becomes sweeter as sugars concentrate in response to cold.
Extended/Overwintering
Variable; winter months to early springIn cold climates, plants can overwinter and resume growth in spring, or bolt and flower in early summer.
In mild climates, continue harvesting through winter. In cold regions, mulch heavily or cover with row cloth. If bolting occurs, harvest immediately before flowers open.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers early in season. Hand-pick caterpillars. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or neem oil as needed.
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Use row covers on seedlings. Dust with diatomaceous earth. Apply neem oil or spinosad if severe.
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Hand-pick larger caterpillars. Apply Bt or spinosad. Encourage beneficial insects like parasitic wasps.
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Spray with strong water stream. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Attract beneficial insects.
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Maintain humidity and consistent watering. Spray with water. Use miticide only if severe.
Uses
Nutritious Greens & Cooking
CulinaryLacinato kale is eaten raw in salads, massaged with oil, or cooked. It's milder and more tender than curly kale, making it excellent for soups, stir-fries, and chips. Rich in vitamins K, A, C, calcium, and antioxidants. [source]
Anti-inflammatory & Detox Support
MedicinalLacinato kale contains sulforaphane and other glucosinolates believed to support detoxification and reduce inflammation. Often used in wellness juices and smoothies for its dense micronutrient profile. [source]
Kale Chips & Snacks
CulinaryLeaves can be dried and seasoned to make crispy kale chips, a popular healthy snack alternative to potato chips. [source]
Ornamental & Garden Design
HouseholdThe deeply textured, dark blue-green foliage makes Lacinato kale an attractive ornamental element in vegetable gardens and landscape borders. [source]
Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeFlowering plants (if allowed to bolt) provide pollen and nectar for beneficial pollinators and parasitic wasps that control garden pests. [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, working from bottom upward. Snap or cut leaves at the base where they attach to the stem. Regular harvesting encourages continued leaf production. Leaves are sweetest after a frost in fall. Can harvest continuously for 2-4 months or longer. Wash thoroughly before use.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Lacinato kale is also called 'dinosaur kale' because its deeply wrinkled leaves resemble dinosaur skin.
- 🌱 The flavor of Lacinato kale becomes noticeably sweeter after exposure to frost, as the plant converts starches to sugars as a natural antifreeze mechanism.
- 🌱 Lacinato kale was popularized in Tuscany, Italy, where it has been grown for centuries and is a key ingredient in the traditional soup 'ribollita.'
Gardening Terms
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