How Many Kinds Of Kale Are There – Discovering The Best Varieties
There are numerous kinds of kale, encompassing a wide range of leaf shapes, colors, and textures, all belonging to the Brassica oleracea species. While exact counts vary, gardeners commonly distinguish between at least five major categories, each with multiple specific cultivars.
These main types include curly kale, Lacinato (Dinosaur) kale, Red Russian kale, Siberian kale, and ornamental kale, offering diverse options for both culinary use and garden aesthetics.
Kale has surged in popularity, moving from a humble garden staple to a bona fide superfood hero. Its robust nutritional profile and versatile culinary applications make it a favorite among health-conscious home cooks and discerning gardeners alike. But if you’ve only ever encountered one type of kale, you might be surprised by the rich diversity available.
Beyond the familiar crinkled green leaves, there’s a whole world of textures, colors, and flavors waiting to be explored. Understanding the different varieties can transform your gardening success and elevate your culinary creations. It’s not just about growing “kale”; it’s about choosing the right kale.
This guide will delve into the fascinating array of kale types, helping you answer the question, how many kinds of kale are there, and more importantly, which ones are perfect for your garden, your climate, and your dinner plate. Get ready to discover your new favorite leafy green!
Understanding Kale’s Botanical Roots and Growth Habits
Before we explore specific varieties, let’s briefly touch on what makes kale, well, kale. All kale varieties are cultivars of Brassica oleracea, the same species that gives us cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and collard greens. This botanical family is known for its hardiness and nutritional density.
Kale is a non-heading brassica, meaning its leaves grow from a central stem rather than forming a tight head like cabbage. This growth habit makes it incredibly easy to harvest leaf by leaf, ensuring a continuous supply throughout the growing season. Many varieties are also remarkably cold-hardy.
Its preference for cooler weather means kale thrives in spring and fall, often sweetening after a light frost. Understanding these basic characteristics will help you appreciate the subtle differences between types and grow them successfully.
Exploring the Diverse World: How Many Kinds of Kale Are There, Really?
When gardeners ask, “how many kinds of kale are there,” they’re often looking for practical distinctions rather than a precise botanical count. While new cultivars are always being developed, we can broadly categorize kale into several distinct types, each offering unique characteristics. Each category typically includes numerous specific varieties, or cultivars, bred for different traits.
Let’s break down the most common and beloved types you’ll encounter in seed catalogs and garden centers. Choosing the right one depends on your climate, soil, and intended use.
Curly Kale: The Classic Garden Staple
Curly kale is perhaps the most recognizable type, famed for its tightly ruffled, often dark green leaves. Its robust texture holds up well in cooking, making it a favorite for sautéing, steaming, and even baking into kale chips.
- Appearance and Flavor: Features highly crinkled, deep green or sometimes purple-tinged leaves. It has a slightly peppery, earthy flavor that mellows beautifully with cooking.
- Growing Tips: This type is very cold-hardy and can tolerate light frosts, which often sweeten the leaves. Plant in well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0.
- Popular Cultivars: ‘Blue Curled Scotch’, ‘Redbor’ (known for its vibrant purple leaves), and ‘Nero di Toscana’.
- Culinary Uses: Excellent for smoothies, stir-fries, and as a base for hearty salads.
Lacinato Kale (Dinosaur or Tuscan Kale): The Gourmet Choice
Also known as Dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale, Lacinato stands out with its long, narrow, dark blue-green leaves that have a distinctly bumpy, almost reptilian texture. It’s often considered a gourmet variety due to its refined flavor.
- Appearance and Flavor: Long, strap-like leaves with a heavily puckered surface. It offers a milder, sweeter, and nuttier flavor compared to curly kale, with less bitterness.
- Growing Tips: Lacinato kale prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It benefits from consistent moisture and a balanced fertilizer, perhaps a 5-10-5 NPK ratio, especially during active growth.
- Popular Cultivars: ‘Lacinato’ (the classic), ‘Black Magic’ (a more vigorous selection).
- Culinary Uses: Perfect for traditional Italian dishes, massaged salads, and finely chopped in soups and stews.
Red Russian Kale: The Beautiful and Tender Option
Red Russian kale is truly a showstopper in the garden with its stunning purplish-red stems and flat, oak-leaf-shaped green leaves that deepen in color with cold weather. It’s one of the most tender kale varieties.
- Appearance and Flavor: Flat, deeply lobed leaves with reddish-purple veins and stems. It has a remarkably sweet and mild flavor, often described as having notes of cabbage and nuts.
- Growing Tips: This variety is also very cold-hardy and bolts slower than some other types in warmer weather. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
- Popular Cultivars: ‘Red Russian’ is the primary cultivar, with some variations in leaf color intensity.
- Culinary Uses: Ideal for fresh salads due to its tender texture, light sautéing, and garnishes.
Siberian Kale: The Cold-Hardy Champion
Siberian kale is a robust and extremely cold-tolerant variety, making it a fantastic choice for gardeners in colder climates. Its leaves are broad, wavy, and less ruffled than curly kale.
- Appearance and Flavor: Large, broad, wavy leaves that are blue-green. It has a slightly coarser texture than Red Russian but a sweet, mild flavor, especially after a frost.
- Growing Tips: Exceptionally resilient to cold; some gardeners even harvest it from under snow. It thrives in well-amended soil. Consider a soil test to ensure adequate nutrient levels.
- Popular Cultivars: ‘Siberian’ is the most common, known for its rapid growth.
- Culinary Uses: Great for hearty soups, stews, and any recipe where a robust kale is desired.
Ornamental Kale (Flowering Kale): Beauty Beyond the Plate
While technically edible, ornamental kale is primarily grown for its stunning visual appeal. It develops vibrant pink, purple, red, and white centers as temperatures drop, making it a popular choice for fall and winter landscaping.
- Appearance and Flavor: Features large, frilly outer leaves surrounding a colorful, tightly packed inner rosette. The flavor tends to be more bitter than culinary kales, though still edible.
- Growing Tips: Treat it similarly to other kales, providing consistent moisture and fertile soil. Plant in areas where its vibrant colors can be appreciated, such as borders or containers.
- Popular Cultivars: Many varieties exist, often named for their color combinations like ‘Osaka Red’ or ‘Peacock White’.
- Culinary Uses: Best used as a garnish or for adding visual interest to dishes rather than as a primary ingredient.
Cultivating Success: Essential Growing Tips for All Kale Varieties
Regardless of how many kinds of kale are there you decide to grow, consistent care is key to a bountiful harvest. Kale is generally forgiving, but a few expert tips can make all the difference. Remember, a healthy plant is a happy plant!
Choosing the Right Location and Soil
Kale thrives in full sun (at least 6 hours per day) but can tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer climates where it can prevent premature bolting. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
Prepare your soil by amending it with plenty of organic matter like compost. This improves fertility and drainage. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) for optimal nutrient uptake.
Planting and Spacing
You can start kale from seed indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost or direct sow outdoors. Space plants 12-18 inches apart in rows, allowing for good air circulation. Proper spacing minimizes disease risk.
For continuous harvests, consider succession planting every 2-3 weeks. This ensures a fresh supply of tender leaves throughout the growing season.
Watering and Fertilizing
Kale needs consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Aim for 1-1.5 inches of water per week, either from rain or irrigation. Check soil moisture before watering.
A balanced organic fertilizer or a compost tea application every few weeks will keep your kale vigorous. Kale is a heavy feeder, particularly of nitrogen, which supports lush leaf growth.
Pest and Disease Management
Common kale pests include aphids, cabbage worms, and flea beetles. Inspect your plants regularly. Hand-picking pests is effective for small infestations.
For larger issues, consider organic solutions like neem oil or insecticidal soap. Floating row covers can physically prevent pests from reaching your plants. Practice crop rotation to avoid soil-borne diseases.
Winter Protection and Cold Hardiness
Many kale varieties are remarkably cold-hardy. In zones with mild winters, you can often harvest kale well into the colder months. A layer of straw mulch around the base of the plants can provide extra insulation.
For harsher winters, consider planting in cold frames or under low tunnels. This extends your harvest season significantly.
From Garden to Kitchen: Harvesting and Enjoying Your Kale
Harvesting kale correctly not only gives you delicious greens but also encourages the plant to produce more. Knowing when and how to pick the leaves ensures a continuous yield.
When and How to Harvest
Begin harvesting outer leaves when they are about 6-8 inches long. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to snip them from the main stem. Always leave the central growing point intact to allow for continued production.
Harvesting smaller, younger leaves results in a more tender, milder flavor. Mature leaves are more robust and better suited for cooking. Regular harvesting promotes fresh growth.
Storage Tips for Freshness
Freshly harvested kale can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, you can blanch and freeze kale. Wash, chop, blanch for 2-3 minutes, then cool rapidly in ice water before freezing in airtight bags.
Frozen kale is perfect for smoothies, soups, and stews. It retains much of its nutritional value and flavor.
Culinary Versatility
Kale is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. It can be enjoyed raw in salads (especially after massaging with a little oil and lemon juice), sautéed with garlic, steamed, or added to soups, stir-fries, and casseroles. Experiment with different varieties to find your favorites.
For a healthy snack, try making kale chips! Toss torn kale leaves with olive oil and salt, then bake until crispy.
Troubleshooting Common Kale Challenges
Even the most experienced gardener encounters issues. Here are some common problems you might face with your kale and how to address them. Don’t worry; most kale problems have straightforward solutions.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves, especially older ones, can indicate a nitrogen deficiency. Apply a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer or compost tea. Overwatering can also cause yellowing, so check your soil moisture.
Sometimes, yellowing is natural as older leaves senesce. Remove these to encourage new growth.
Bolting (Going to Seed)
Kale bolts when temperatures get too warm, especially in late spring or early summer. The plant sends up a flower stalk, and leaves become bitter. While you can still eat the leaves, they won’t be as palatable.
To delay bolting, provide some afternoon shade in hot climates and ensure consistent moisture. Plant heat-tolerant varieties or opt for fall planting.
Holes in Leaves
Holes are usually a sign of insect activity. Cabbage worms (the larvae of white cabbage moths) and flea beetles are common culprits. Inspect the undersides of leaves for eggs or small green caterpillars.
Hand-pick larger pests or use organic pest control methods like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for caterpillars. Row covers are an excellent preventative measure.
Stunted Growth
Stunted growth can be due to poor soil fertility, inadequate watering, or overcrowding. Ensure your soil is rich in organic matter and nutrients. Check spacing and thin plants if they are too close.
A soil test can reveal nutrient deficiencies or pH imbalances that might be hindering growth. Addressing these will boost your kale’s vitality.
Choosing the Right Kale for Your Climate and Culinary Goals
With so many options, deciding which kale to grow can be fun! Consider your local climate and what you plan to do with your harvest. This personalized approach ensures gardening success.
Climate Considerations
- Cold Climates: ‘Siberian’ and ‘Red Russian’ are excellent choices due to their superior cold tolerance. They often taste sweeter after a frost.
- Warmer Climates: ‘Lacinato’ can be more heat-tolerant than curly varieties, but all kale will appreciate some afternoon shade in hot summers to prevent bolting.
- Mild Climates: Most kale varieties will thrive, allowing you to experiment with a wide range of types.
Culinary Preferences
- For Salads: ‘Red Russian’ and ‘Lacinato’ are often preferred for their tender texture and milder flavor when raw. Massaging them can further tenderize the leaves.
- For Cooking (Sautéing, Soups, Chips): ‘Curly Kale’ holds its texture well and its robust flavor stands up to cooking. ‘Lacinato’ is also fantastic cooked.
- For Smoothies: Any kale works, but ‘Lacinato’ and ‘Red Russian’ can be less bitter if you’re sensitive to strong flavors.
Don’t be afraid to plant a few different varieties! This allows you to compare flavors and textures and discover your personal favorites. Experimenting is part of the joy of gardening.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing and Enjoying Kale
Gardening always brings questions, and growing kale is no exception. Here are some common queries we often hear.
Is Kale Easy to Grow for Beginners?
Yes, kale is considered one of the easiest leafy greens for beginners. It’s relatively pest-resistant, tolerant of various soil conditions, and very cold-hardy. Just provide good soil, consistent water, and adequate sunlight, and you’ll likely have a successful harvest.
Can Kale Grow in Hot Climates?
Kale prefers cooler weather, but some varieties like ‘Lacinato’ can tolerate more heat than others. In hot climates, plant kale in an area that receives afternoon shade and ensure consistent watering. Fall and winter planting is often most successful in warm regions.
What’s the Best Way to Protect Kale From Pests?
The best defense is often prevention. Use floating row covers from planting to harvest to physically block pests like cabbage worms and flea beetles. Regularly inspect plants and hand-pick any visible pests. Organic sprays like neem oil or insecticidal soap can also be effective for outbreaks.
When Should I Plant Kale?
For most regions, kale is a spring and fall crop. Plant seeds or transplants in early spring after the last frost for a spring-early summer harvest. For a fall harvest, plant seeds in mid-to-late summer, about 8-10 weeks before the first anticipated frost.
How Do I Make Kale Less Bitter?
Kale often sweetens after a light frost. For raw kale, massaging it with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice for a few minutes can significantly reduce bitterness and tenderize the leaves. Cooking also mellows its flavor considerably. Choose milder varieties like ‘Red Russian’ if bitterness is a concern.
Conclusion: Embrace the Diversity of Kale
Exploring how many kinds of kale are there reveals a world of culinary and gardening possibilities. From the familiar crinkled leaves of curly kale to the sophisticated texture of Lacinato and the vibrant hues of Red Russian, each variety brings its own unique charm and benefits to your garden and your plate.
By understanding their individual needs and characteristics, you can cultivate a thriving kale patch that provides delicious, nutritious greens for months on end. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types; you might just discover a new favorite that perfectly suits your taste and growing conditions. Happy gardening, and enjoy the incredible diversity of kale!
Taylor pairs an engineer's eye with years of hands-on work in soil, lawns and outdoor machinery. He tests ideas in his own garden, keeps tractors and mowers running himself, and speaks to local horticulture groups. Every Garden Aider guide is written to be practical, accurate and safe to follow.
“To bring life alive, you just need to mix some love with the compost, bedding, and gardening machines.”