Kale Varieties - What's the Difference?

There are a few different kale varieties available to the backyard vegetable gardener.  These can vary in size, shape and color.  Some varieties mature a bit earlier than other varieties.  You can use this to your advantage when growing kale.  If you are growing a spring crop, choose a fast growing variety to get the most leaves before the summer weather gets too hot.  For a fall and winter crop, choose a slower growing variety that won't mature until after a hard freeze. 

Here's some kale seeds if you're interested...

Also, when choosing which variety of kale you want to grow, think about how you want to use the kale.  If you are looking specifically for a ruffled leaf that looks pretty on a plate after a quick sautee, chose a variety that produces those types of leaves.  If you are just wanting kale for soups and smoothies, the appearance of the leaves doesn't matter as much.

Also consider the size of the plant when choosing a kale variety.  Do you have the space for a large and/or tall kale plant, or is your space limited?  Choose a variety that will fit well into your garden space and plant.

Here is a partial list of some common varieties of kale.  Please note, the days to harvest are counted after germination.

Common Kale Varieties

• Red Winter - this variety features dark green leaves that resemble the shape of oak leaves, purple veins, very tender, ready in 65 days
• Blue Curled Yates - early variety ready in 55 days, blue-green leaves and veins, leaves have ruffled edges with a slight curl to them
• Red Russian - grayish-green leaves, tall variety of kale with plants reaching almost 3 feet, reddish-purple stems, ridged leaves resemble very large oak leaves, ready in 60 days

• Black Magi - this variety of kale is relatively new, leaves are long and narrow, ready in 60 days, crinkled leaves are curled at the edge, different shades of green from medium to dark, light green stems and veins
• Winterbor - very hardy variety, good choice for growing in winter, blue-green leaves are thick and finely curled, ready in 60 days, plants reach 2 feet tall
• Redbor - this variety is mild and crisp, leaves are reddish-purple with pinkish stems and veins, very early variety and good choice for spring, ready in 50 days

• Dazzling Blue - features smokey blue and purple leaves that are mostly flat, excellent cold hardiness, sprouts appear in about a week
• Nero Di Toscana - this heirloom Italian kale variety is ready in 60 days, black green leaves can reach 24 inches long, excellent choice for soups and stews
• Walking Stick - a unique heirloom kale variety that will compete with sunflowers for tallest plant in your garden, plants often reach 8-10 feet tall, also known as cow cabbage, smooth and dull green leaves
• Scarlet - this heirloom variety boasts extremely high amounts of vitamin C, ruffled leaves are purple/red/blue/green, great flavor and appearance
• Russian Red - also known as Ragged Jack, these leaves resemble the general shape of oak leaves and feature a reddish tint, ready in 50 days, good variety to use as baby greens
• Thousandhead - leaves can reach 3 feet long!, broad and flat leaves with minimal curl, great kale flavor, good choice for kale chips
• Dwarf Siberian - plants reach 16 inches tall, green leaves are ruffled, ready in 50 days, excellent cold hardiness, good flavor
• Tronchuda - this Portugese variety features green leaves with white ribs, good option for eating raw, spinach-like texture when cooked, not frost tolerant
• Japanese Flowering - this heirloom kale variety features tasty purple and green ruffled leaves, ready in 85 days, often grown as an ornamental but the leaves taste great and are packed with nutrients, good cold hardiness

There are lots of other kale varieties that can be found in seed catalogs and online stores.  We suggest planting a few different varieties of kale that vary in color and shape.  This makes for an attractive garden and a nice mix of colors and textures on your plate.  In addition, it gives you a chance to try different varieties so you can find your favorite.

We are often asked about our favorite kale varieties.  We grow Dazzling Blue and Dwarf Siberian every year in our garden.  We also typically grow one variety that is new to us or one that we haven't grown in a few years. 

Click on the following links for information about growing your own kale.

Click here to learn about planting kale

Click here for information about fertilizing and watering kale

Click here to learn about harvesting kale

Click here for some of our favorite kale recipes

Click here to move from our Kale Varieties page to our Growing Kale main page