How to Grow Purple Frill
Purple Frill
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
vegetablePurple Frill is a stunning ornamental kale variety featuring deeply frilled, lacey leaves with striking purple coloring that intensifies after frost. It's edible and highly nutritious, making it equally valuable as a decorative garden plant and a culinary ingredient. The ruffled foliage creates dramatic texture in both garden beds and kitchen dishes.
When should you plant Purple Frill in your zone?
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Example Purple Frill timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Purple Frill
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 Purple Frill
Around Jun 11≈ 55 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple Frill dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; prefers cooler weather and benefits from frost for enhanced flavor and color
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants emerge with simple oval cotyledons; first true leaves develop serrated edges characteristic of kale
Keep soil consistently moist; provide bright light; thin seedlings to prevent crowding; maintain 60-70°F temperature
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops progressively larger, more frilled leaves; stem thickens and plant spreads outward; purple coloration begins to show
Thin to final spacing; fertilize every 2-3 weeks; ensure consistent moisture; remove damaged outer leaves; mulch to retain moisture
Leaf Development & Color Intensification
2-3 weeksFrilly leaves expand significantly with increasingly prominent purple hues; plant becomes fuller and more ornamental
Continue regular watering and fertilizing; allow frost exposure to deepen purple color and improve sweetness; monitor for pests
Prime Harvest
4-8 weeksPlant reaches mature size with fully developed, intensely colored frilled leaves; maximum ornamental and culinary appeal
Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage production; avoid harvesting center bud if growing for continuous leaf production; protect from heavy frost that may damage leaves
Extended Harvest & Overwintering
Variable, weeks to monthsPlant continues producing new leaves from center; frost enhances flavor and purple coloration; can survive mild winters in many zones
Continue harvesting outer leaves; reduce watering in winter; provide row covers in harsh climates; plant may bolt in spring as temperatures warm
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers; hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); encourage parasitic wasps
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Hand-pick; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; use Bt spray; introduce beneficial insects
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Use row covers on young plants; apply diatomaceous earth; use reflective mulches; spray with neem oil
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Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap; use neem oil; introduce ladybugs and lacewings
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap; apply neem oil; encourage beneficial insects
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Ensure good air circulation; spray with sulfur or potassium bicarbonate; remove affected leaves; water at soil level
Uses
Nutrient-Dense Greens & Salads
CulinaryPurple Frill leaves are tender enough for raw salads when young, with a slightly sweet, mild kale flavor that improves after frost. They're loaded with vitamins K, A, and C, plus cancer-fighting glucosinolates and antioxidant anthocyanins from the purple pigment. [source]
Cooked Dishes & Sautés
CulinaryMature leaves are excellent sautéed with garlic, roasted as crispy chips, or added to soups, stews, and smoothies. The frilly texture crisps beautifully when roasted. [source]
Ornamental Garden Specimen
HouseholdPurple Frill is primarily grown for its striking visual appeal in borders, container gardens, and landscape designs. The lacey, jewel-toned foliage adds texture and color to fall and winter gardens. [source]
Anti-inflammatory & Antioxidant Support
MedicinalThe purple anthocyanins and other phytonutrients in Purple Frill have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, supporting cardiovascular and immune health. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeIf allowed to flower in spring, Purple Frill produces small yellow brassica flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. The plant also supports beneficial insects that prey on 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 once plant reaches 12-15 inches tall, typically 6-8 weeks after planting. Pinch or cut leaves from the bottom of the plant upward, leaving the center bud intact for continued growth. Harvest in the morning after frost for maximum sweetness and flavor. Purple Frill is sweetest after a light frost (28-32°F); heavy freezes below 15°F may damage leaves. For continuous harvest, pick regularly—removing outer leaves encourages new inner leaf production. Plants can produce for 8-12 weeks or longer in cool climates. For ornamental use, allow plant to fully mature without heavy harvesting.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Purple Frill's dramatic coloration intensifies after frost due to increased anthocyanin production—the plant's natural antifreeze response makes it sweeter and more vibrant as temperatures drop.
- 🌱 Kale, including ornamental varieties like Purple Frill, is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables available, with more vitamin K per leaf than any other food, making just a handful of leaves meet or exceed daily requirements.
- 🌱 Purple Frill is a hybrid-era cultivar developed in the late 20th century, combining the decorative appeal of ornamental kale with improved edibility, making it equally at home in flower beds and vegetable gardens.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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