How to Grow Ornamental Kale White
Wikimedia Commons
Ornamental Kale White
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
vegetableOrnamental kale is a decorative cabbage family member prized for its striking white, pink, or purple leaf rosettes rather than for culinary use. It thrives in cool seasons and produces the most vibrant colors after frost exposure. This non-heading kale variety is grown primarily for ornamental garden displays and landscape design.
Looking for a specific variety?
When should you plant Ornamental Kale White in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Ornamental Kale White timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Ornamental Kale White
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Ornamental Kale White
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ornamental Kale White dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best color development in zones 4-8
Sign up free to see if Ornamental Kale White grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Ornamental Kale White timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksEmerges with two seed leaves (cotyledons); develops true leaves gradually over 2-3 weeks
Keep soil consistently moist, maintain 65-75°F, provide bright indirect light; thin seedlings to appropriate spacing once true leaves appear
Color Development
3-4 weeksLeaf pigmentation intensifies as temperatures cool, especially after first frost; white cultivars develop creamier, more defined color patterns
Exposure to light frost (28-40°F) dramatically enhances coloration and flavor if harvested; maintain consistent watering; avoid overhead irrigation
Full Maturity
4-8 weeksPlant reaches full size with completely colored, fully textured rosette; white varieties display crisp ivory or cream coloration with ruffled edges
Can remain in garden for weeks at this stage; deadhead any flower buds if grown as purely ornamental; monitor for pests
Senescence/Winter Dormancy
Variable, until spring growth or severe frost damageIn cold climates, plant may persist through winter with reduced growth; leaves remain vibrant but growth slows significantly
Remove damaged leaves periodically, reduce watering in winter, provide light frost protection if temperatures drop below 10°F
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick caterpillars, use row covers, apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray, encourage natural predators
-
Use floating row covers when young, diatomaceous earth, neem oil spray, reflective mulch
-
Strong water spray to dislodge, insecticidal soap, neem oil, encourage ladybugs and parasitic wasps
-
Hand-pick caterpillars, use netting or row covers, apply Bt, plant trap crops
-
Yellow sticky traps, strong spray of water, neem oil, insecticidal soap
Uses
Edible Ornamental Leaves
CulinaryWhile primarily grown for beauty, ornamental kale leaves are technically edible and can be used in cooking, though they are often tougher and more bitter than culinary kale varieties. Younger, more tender leaves work best in salads or cooked dishes. [source]
Garden and Landscape Display
HouseholdThe striking white, cream, or variegated leaf rosettes provide outstanding ornamental value in gardens, borders, containers, and fall/winter displays. Widely used by florists and landscapers for autumn and holiday decorative arrangements. [source]
Cut Arrangements and Floral Design
CraftEntire plants or individual leaf rosettes can be harvested for fresh or dried floral arrangements, adding texture and color to bouquets and decorative displays year-round. [source]
Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeIf allowed to bolt, ornamental kale produces flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. The plant also hosts beneficial insects that prey on garden pests. [source]
Nutritional Content (Glucosinolates)
MedicinalLike other brassicas, ornamental kale contains glucosinolates and vitamin C, compounds associated with anti-inflammatory and potential cancer-preventive properties in scientific literature. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Ornamental kale is typically grown for display rather than harvest, though outer leaves can be pinched off for culinary use. For maximum ornamental impact, allow the plant to reach full maturity and develop full color; this occurs 70-90 days from planting and is enhanced by cool temperatures and light frost. Plants remain attractive for 4-8 weeks at peak maturity. If harvesting leaves for cooking (though edible ornamental varieties are often tougher), pick outer leaves from the bottom of the plant, working upward. Plants can persist through mild winters in many zones.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Ornamental kale was domesticated from wild cabbage and became especially popular in Asian cuisine and landscape design before gaining Western ornamental garden popularity in the 1990s.
- 🌱 The vibrant white, pink, and purple colors in ornamental kale develop more intensely after exposure to light frost; the plant essentially converts starches to sugars and pigments as a cold-hardening response.
- 🌱 Ornamental kale can tolerate temperatures as low as 0-10°F and often remains decorative throughout winter in many zones, making it one of the longest-lasting ornamental plants for fall and winter gardens.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Ornamental Kale White planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Ornamental Kale White seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Ornamental Kale White timeline →