How to Grow Ornamental Kale

Ornamental Kale

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

vegetable

Ornamental kale is a non-heading cabbage variety prized for its stunning, frilly foliage in shades of purple, red, pink, white, and green. Unlike culinary kale, it's grown primarily for its decorative appearance in gardens and as a fall/winter centerpiece. While edible, the leaves tend to be tougher and more bitter than eating varieties.

Looking for a specific variety?

Red Russian Nagoya Kamome Pink Peacock Winterbor Lacinato

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade; 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily for best color development

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Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 times weekly, keeping soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter when growth slows.

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Spacing: 18 inches

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Days to maturity: 50-90 days (depending on variety and conditions; colors deepen over time)

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Planting depth: 0.25 to 0.5 inches for seeds; transplants at soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir Slow-release balanced fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 2-10; thrives in cool-season regions and becomes more colorful after frost

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny leaves emerge; plant is fragile and low-growing with 2-4 true leaves visible.

Maintain consistent moisture and warmth (65-75°F). Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin or transplant when 2-3 inches tall.

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant develops more leaves and begins to form a rosette; leaf edges become more frilly and intricate.

Keep soil consistently moist. Apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Remove any yellowing lower leaves. Begin hardening off transplants before outdoor planting.

Establishment

3-5 weeks

Rosette forms fully and expands outward; foliage thickens and color becomes more pronounced with cool temperatures.

Water regularly and mulch around base to retain moisture. Protect from extreme heat in summer; ornamental kale prefers temperatures below 75°F. Fertilize monthly with balanced NPK.

Color Development

4-8 weeks (extends through fall and early winter)

Foliage reaches peak ornamental value with vibrant colors deepening, especially after exposure to frost (improves sugars and pigmentation).

Light frosts enhance coloration and texture. Monitor for pests. Deadhead any flower buds to direct energy to foliage. Minimal fertilization at this stage.

Decline/Bolting

Variable; occurs as temperatures warm above 60°F consistently

As spring temperatures warm, plant may produce flower stalks; foliage quality diminishes and colors fade.

Remove flower buds if foliage display is still desired. Once bolting occurs significantly, plant is typically removed. In mild climates, plants can overwinter and produce flowers in spring.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Snapdragons Pansies Violas Cabbage Broccoli Thyme Chamomile Calendula Nasturtiums

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Rue Dill Other brassicas in very close proximity (spacing allows coexistence at proper distance) Heavy feeders like tomatoes and squash

Common Pests

Install fine netting; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); handpick caterpillars; encourage parasitic wasps
Use row covers on young plants; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; diatomaceous earth around base; remove plant debris
Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil; introduce ladybugs; reflective mulch
Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil; improve air circulation; remove heavily infested leaves
and
Hand-pick at dawn/dusk; beer traps; copper barriers; diatomaceous earth; encourage ground beetles

Uses

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Ornamental Garden Display

Household

Ornamental kale serves as a striking focal point in fall and winter gardens, providing colorful foliage when most other plants have died back. The intricate leaf textures and jewel-tone colors create visual interest in borders, containers, and landscape beds. [source]

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Cut Flower Arrangements

Craft

Ornamental kale's colorful, textured leaves add unique dimension to cut flower and foliage arrangements, particularly for fall and holiday designs. Individual leaves or entire stems can be used fresh and last 2-3 weeks in water. [source]

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Decorative Edible Garnish

Culinary

While tougher and more bitter than eating varieties, ornamental kale can be used as an edible garnish on platters or in dishes. Young, tender inner leaves are more palatable; older outer leaves are best used for decoration only. [source]

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Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Support

Wildlife

When ornamental kale flowers in spring, its blooms provide nectar and pollen for early-season bees and beneficial insects. Additionally, the plant attracts predatory insects that help control garden pests. [source]

Harvest Tips

Ornamental kale is primarily grown for display rather than consumption. Enjoy the foliage in the garden or harvest entire plants for indoor arrangements once colors peak (typically mid-fall through winter). If harvesting individual leaves for cooking, pick outer mature leaves gently starting 6-8 weeks after planting. Colors are most vibrant after light frost. For cut arrangements, harvest early morning after frost for crisp foliage.

Fun Facts

🌱 Ornamental kale colors intensify after frost due to the plant converting starches to sugars for antifreeze protection—temperatures below 50°F trigger the most vibrant hues.
🌱 Despite being a variety of the same species as culinary kale (Brassica oleracea), ornamental kale is bred specifically for dramatic foliage appearance rather than flavor, making it essentially a different plant culinarily.
🌱 Ornamental kale can survive temperatures as low as -10°F, making it one of the hardiest ornamental vegetables and allowing it to provide color throughout harsh winters.

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