How to Grow Lacinato Kale
Lacinato Kale
Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia
vegetableLacinato kale, also called dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale, is a cold-hardy leafy green with deeply textured, blue-green crinkled leaves that resemble dinosaur skin. It has a sweeter, more tender flavor than curly kale and is prized for both culinary and ornamental use. This brassica is extremely nutrient-dense and becomes sweeter after frost.
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; exceptionally cold-hardy and improves in flavor after frost
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Growth Stages
Seedling
10-14 daysTiny round cotyledons emerge with first true leaves appearing serrated but not yet deeply textured. Plant is delicate and low to ground.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light indoors. Thin seedlings to strongest specimens. Protect from damping-off with good air circulation.
Vegetative/Rosette Formation
3-4 weeksPlant develops 3-4 true leaves and begins forming characteristic deeply lobed, crinkled texture. Central growing point becomes more pronounced. Leaves expand rapidly.
Maintain consistent moisture and nitrogen nutrition. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Monitor for pests like flea beetles and cabbage moths. Thin to final spacing.
Leaf Development
3-4 weeksRobust rosette of 12-20+ deeply textured blue-green leaves develops. Plant reaches harvestable size with leaves 8-12 inches long. Texture becomes increasingly crinkled and distinctive.
Continue consistent watering and feeding with balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Remove any yellow or damaged leaves. Ensure adequate spacing for air circulation to prevent fungal disease.
Mature/Harvest Ready
Ongoing, 2-3+ months depending on regionPlant reaches 18-36 inches tall with a full rosette of harvest-ready leaves. Flavor sweetens significantly after light frost; leaves become more tender and slightly sweeter.
Begin harvesting outer leaves once plant reaches 8-12 inches tall. This encourages continued production. In fall, plants actually improve after frost—cold triggers conversion of starches to sugars. Continue harvesting throughout season.
Extended Harvest/Winter Dormancy
2-6 months or until springIn cold climates, plant becomes dormant in winter but remains alive and green under snow. In mild climates, continues producing leaves through winter. Extremely frost-hardy; survives temperatures to -15°F or lower.
In harsh climates, provide light mulch protection. In mild zones, continue harvesting. Plants can be kept producing for 6+ months with proper care. Avoid heavy nitrogen in late season to prevent soft tender growth before freeze.
Common Pests
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Row covers on young plants, hand-pick caterpillars, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), companion planting with thyme and sage
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Row covers, neem oil, kaolin clay spray, diatomaceous earth, encourage parasitic wasps
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Strong water spray, insecticidal soap, neem oil, encourage ladybugs, reflective mulch
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Hand-pick and destroy eggs, row covers, organic insecticide (neem), mulch to encourage predatory beetles
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Bt spray, spinosad, row covers, encourage beneficial wasps and parasites
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Crop rotation (3+ years away from brassicas), improve drainage, lime to raise soil pH above 7.0, resistant varieties
Uses
Nutritious Leafy Green
CulinaryLacinato kale is exceptionally nutrient-dense, containing high levels of vitamins A, C, K, calcium, and iron. Use fresh in salads, smoothies, sautéed as a side dish, added to soups, or massaged with oil for tender salads. The tender leaves cook down significantly. [source]
Tuscan & Italian Cuisine
CulinaryLacinato's mild, slightly sweet flavor makes it ideal for Italian preparations like cacio e pepe kale, pasta e fagioli, minestrone, and simple sautés with garlic and olive oil. The tender texture is superior to curly kale for fine cooking. [source]
Glucosinolate Content
MedicinalLike all brassicas, lacinato kale contains glucosinolates—compounds that convert to sulforaphane when chopped or chewed, which may have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Raw consumption maximizes these compounds. [source]
Ornamental Garden Element
HouseholdWith its striking blue-green, deeply textured foliage, lacinato kale is attractive enough for ornamental plantings and potted displays. The dramatic leaves add visual interest to vegetable or cottage gardens year-round. [source]
Kale Chips & Preservation
CraftLacinato leaves make excellent baked kale chips when tossed with oil and salt, then crisped in the oven. Leaves can also be frozen, blanched, or dried for later use, making storage of excess harvest convenient. [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 8-12 inches tall (around 50-60 days). Pick 3-4 outer leaves at a time, leaving the central growing point intact for continued production. Harvest from bottom up. Leaves are most tender in morning. In fall and winter regions, harvest after light frost for sweeter flavor. Can continue harvesting individual leaves for 3-6 months or until plant bolts.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Lacinato kale's distinctive crinkled texture gives it the nickname 'dinosaur kale' because the deeply lobed leaves resemble dinosaur skin or ancient tree bark.
- 🌱 Kale becomes noticeably sweeter after frost or freezing temperatures, as the plant converts starches to sugars as an anti-freeze mechanism—making late-fall and winter harvests the most flavorful.
- 🌱 Lacinato kale is extremely cold-hardy and can survive temperatures well below freezing, making it one of the last crops harvestable in fall and sometimes even available to harvest in winter in mild climates.
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