garden
Ornamental kale
Overview
A cold-season stunner that produces rosettes of ruffled or fringed leaves in vivid purples, pinks, whites, and greens that intensify as temperatures drop. Ornamental kale is technically edible but is grown primarily for its spectacular color, which peaks in fall and persists through winter. It is one of the few plants that actually gets more beautiful as the weather turns cold.
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH6 — 7.5
Soil TypeRich, moist, well-drained soil
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Start Indoors | Jun — Jul | Start indoors midsummer; needs cool temps to develop color |
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | Aug — Sep | Transplant in late summer for fall/winter display |
| Cold (1-2) | Bloom | Sep — Nov | Rosettes persist until hard freeze in 20s; spectacular fall/winter color |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | Aug — Sep | Transplant in fall; color intensifies after first frost |
| Cool (3-4) | Bloom | Sep — Dec | Fall through early winter display; frost intensifies color |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Sep — Oct | Plant in fall; white, pink, purple rosettes; edible but bitter |
| Moderate (5-7) | Bloom | Oct — Feb (wraps) | Fall through winter display; survives to low 20s°F |
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Oct — Nov | Plant in fall; needs cool nights (below 50°F) to develop color |
| Warm (8-9) | Bloom | Nov — Feb (wraps) | Winter display; replace when plants bolt in spring |
| Hot (10+) | Transplant | Nov — Dec | Late fall planting; may not color well without sustained cool nights |
| Hot (10+) | Bloom | Dec — Feb (wraps) | Brief winter color display |
Uses
Culinary
- Technically edible but bitter — grown for ornament
- Leaves used as decorative plate garnish
Other Uses
- Premier cool-season container and bedding plant
- Color intensifies as temperatures drop
- Fall and winter garden focal point
