VegetableCollard
Morris Heading Collards
Heading
Morris Heading Collards is a heat and cold-tolerant variety that produces compact plants with slightly crumpled, loose heads, a true workhorse for gardeners in zones 8, 10 seeking reliable greens. Unlike spreading collard varieties, these plants grow upright to about 36 inches tall and mature in 80, 89 days, making them perfect for containers or tight garden spaces. The short, steamed leaves deliver mild cabbage-like flavor that's equally at home in a pot of traditional greens or tossed raw into salads. Rich in vitamins and minerals, this variety thrives in both summer heat and cool-season cold, offering gardeners extended harvest windows most other collards can't match.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/collards-morris-heading)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
8-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Consistent Moisture
Preferred Temp60-75°F
Growth Stats
PeriodBiennial
TypeBush
Spacing
18-24 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
8-10
Size
?in H x ?in W
Growth
Biennial
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
What sets Morris Heading apart is its dual-season resilience and compact, mounded growth habit. While most collards sprawl across garden beds, this variety's tight, vertical form saves space without sacrificing yield. The juicy leaves have just enough of a mild cabbage character to feel substantial in cooked dishes, yet remain tender enough for fresh eating. True Leaf Market notes these plants tolerate both heat and cold exceptionally well, a rare trait that lets gardeners extend their collard season into shoulder months when other brassicas struggle.
Common Uses
Morris Heading Collards shine boiled or steamed, where their mild cabbage-like flavor and tender texture come through beautifully in traditional Southern greens preparations. The juicy leaves also work wonderfully as a fresh addition to salads, offering a lighter way to enjoy collards beyond heavy braising. Their vitamin and mineral density makes them equally appealing to gardeners prioritizing nutritional powerhouses for the dinner table.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
N/a
First Harvest
8-10 Weeks After Planting
Last Harvest
First Frost
Care Instructions
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant Morris Heading Collards into garden soil once plants are established and soil has warmed. Space them 6 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart, in full-sun locations.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds into garden soil in full sun, thinning seedlings to 6 inches apart with 18 inches between rows.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting Morris Heading Collards around 80, 89 days after planting, once plants have developed substantial foliage. You can harvest outer leaves individually as they reach usable size while leaving the center to continue growing, or cut entire heads if they've formed compact heads. The slightly crumpled texture makes it easy to tell when leaves are at peak tenderness. Consistent harvesting of outer leaves encourages continued production throughout the season.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
6.5 – 7.5
Scientific Classification
Brassica oleracea L.
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Brassica
Duration
Perennial
Growth Habit
Forb/herb
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)CAN (W)GL (W)