Kale Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) is a biennial vegetable in the Brassicaceae family. It grows 40–80 cm (16–31 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 45 cm (18 in) apart.
Plan Kale in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Kale at a glance
| Type | Biennial vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Brassicaceae |
| Mature height | 40–80 cm (16–31 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 45 cm (18 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | about 52–60 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 70 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: leaves |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇮🇪 Ireland |
Is Kale toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Kale is non-toxic to people and pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Kale
Good neighbours
- good With Rhubarb: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Evidence D
- good With Nasturtium: Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas. Evidence C
Shared pests and diseases
- Clubroot: Clubroot spores persist in soil up to 20 years; keep brassicas in a rotation. Evidence B
Questions about Kale
- How far apart should I plant Kale?
- About 45 cm (18 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Kale need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Kale need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Kale?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8. As a biennial it is usually planted out after the last frost and flowers in its second year.
- When does Kale flower?
- About 52–60 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks.
- Is Kale poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Kale is non-toxic to people and pets.
- What grows well with Kale?
- Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Grown as an annual crop; flowers only in second year.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica
- Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
- Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata
- Radish Raphanus sativus
- Bok choy Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
- Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
- Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes
- Collard greens Brassica oleracea var. viridis