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Kale Lacinato

Kale Lacinato

Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia

vegetable

Lacinato kale, also known as dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale, is a cold-hardy cruciferous vegetable with distinctive deeply-lobed, blue-green leaves that resemble dinosaur skin. It has a sweeter, less bitter flavor than curly kale and is highly nutritious, packed with vitamins A, C, K, and minerals. This Italian heirloom variety is prolific and grows well in cool seasons.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade
💧
Water: Consistent moisture, 1-1.5 inches per week; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged; mulch to retain moisture
📏
Spacing: 18 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 55-75 days from transplant; 60-90 days from seed
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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches for seeds; transplants at soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
compost aged manure kelp meal bone meal

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 2-10; prefers cooler seasons in zones 8-10

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

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Small plants with 2-4 true leaves, pale green coloring, tender stems

Keep soil moist but not waterlogged; provide bright light; thin seedlings to prevent crowding; maintain 65-75°F if starting indoors

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant develops characteristic lobed leaves; rosette expands with 6-10 true leaves visible; blue-green coloration develops

Water consistently; apply mulch around base; fertilize every 3-4 weeks with balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer; protect from harsh winds with staking if needed

3

Mature Foliage

2-4 weeks

Full rosette with deeply-lobed, textured blue-green leaves; plant reaches 18-36 inches tall; leaves are dark and crinkled

Begin harvesting outer leaves; continue regular watering and fertilization; watch for pests; cold temperatures sweeten the leaves

4

Continuous Harvest

4-8 weeks or until frost

Plant produces new inner leaves as outer leaves are harvested; maintains vigor and continues producing for months

Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage new growth; keep picking to prevent bolting; continue fertilizing every 3-4 weeks; provide consistent moisture

5

Cold Season Peak

Varies by region; up to 10 weeks in cold climates

Flavor is sweetest after exposure to frost; leaves become more tender and sugary; plant may produce new growth even in early winter

Continue harvesting; frost improves palatability; in zones 8-10, mulch to protect during brief cold snaps; stop harvesting 3-4 weeks before spring heat arrives

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

beets garlic onions potatoes carrots chard spinach dill nasturtiums marigolds

Avoid planting near:

cabbage broccoli cauliflower fennel tomatoes strawberries

Common Pests

  • Row covers, Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), hand-picking, neem oil spray

  • Row covers, kaolin clay spray, neem oil, diatomaceous earth

  • Strong water spray, insecticidal soap, neem oil, beneficial insects like ladybugs

  • Yellow sticky traps, reflective mulch, neem oil, insecticidal soap

  • Bt spray, row covers, hand-picking, neem oil

Uses

🍳

Raw salads and smoothies

Culinary

Tender young leaves are mild and slightly sweet, perfect for salads, blended into smoothies, or juiced. Lacinato's sweet flavor makes it more palatable raw than curly varieties. [source]

🍳

Sautéed and roasted dishes

Culinary

Mature leaves are excellent sautéed with garlic and olive oil, roasted into chips, or added to soups and stews. Heat brings out a rich, slightly nutty flavor. [source]

💊

Nutritional powerhouse

Medicinal

Kale Lacinato is rich in vitamins K, A, and C, plus minerals like calcium and iron. It contains sulfur compounds and antioxidants that support immune function and may aid in detoxification. [source]

🏠

Culinary decoration

Household

The attractive blue-green, deeply lobed leaves make beautiful garnishes and table displays. Whole plants can be used as ornamental edible landscaping. [source]

🦋

Beneficial insect support

Wildlife

Kale flowers (if allowed to bolt) provide excellent nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The plant also hosts parasitic wasps 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 when plant is 8-10 inches tall, leaving inner leaves to continue growing. Pick leaves from bottom up, removing 3-5 leaves per harvest every 7-10 days. Leaves are most tender and flavorful in cool weather and after light frost. Harvest in early morning for best crispness. Can be harvested until plant bolts or hard freeze occurs. Young, tender leaves are milder; mature leaves are earthier.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Lacinato kale gets its nickname 'dinosaur kale' from its bumpy, textured leaves that resemble dinosaur skin, and it's also called 'Tuscan kale' because it originated in Tuscany, Italy.
  • 🌱 Kale becomes sweeter and more tender after exposure to frost; cold temperatures convert starches into sugars, making fall and winter harvests more flavorful than summer harvests.
  • 🌱 A single mature kale plant can produce leaves for 3-4 months or longer with regular harvesting, making it one of the most productive vegetables per plant in a garden.

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