Curly Kale
Dwarf Blue Curled Kale is a compact, intensely frilly variety that reaches just 12 to 30 inches tall, making it perfect for gardeners working with limited space. The distinctive blue-green, heavily curled leaves are both beautiful and deeply nutritious, ready to harvest in just 55 days. This cold-hardy brassica thrives in full sun and delivers reliable yields whether you're growing a spring, summer, or fall crop.
12-18 inches apart
Full Sun
Moderate
1-10
30in H x ?in W
Biennial
High
Hover over chart points for details
What sets Dwarf Blue Curled apart is its remarkable ability to produce abundant, ruffled foliage at a manageable height. The intensely textured leaves become even sweeter after a frost, making this variety especially valuable for fall gardens. Its compact stature means you can tuck it into smaller spaces without sacrificing the dramatic visual impact that makes kale so prized by gardeners and cooks alike.
Dwarf Blue Curled Kale is harvested for its tender, nutrient-dense leaves, which are used raw in salads, massaged into slaws, or cooked down into warming winter dishes. The heavily curled texture makes it visually striking on the plate and adds substance to everything from grain bowls to braised preparations.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, maintaining soil temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal germination. For a fall crop, start seeds 12 to 14 weeks before your average first fall frost date, then transplant after 4 to 6 weeks of growth indoors.
Transplant seedlings 4 to 6 weeks after starting them indoors, ideally around your average last frost date for a spring/summer crop. For fall crops, transplant after 4 to 6 weeks of indoor growth, timing your transplanting so the plants mature before your first frost. Space plants 24 inches apart to allow adequate room for mature growth.
Sow seeds directly outdoors 1 to 2 weeks before your average last frost date when soil temperature is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit for spring and summer crops. For fall crops, direct sow 10 to 12 weeks before your average first fall frost date. In mild climates, you can also direct sow in fall for a very early spring crop.
Harvest Dwarf Blue Curled Kale beginning about 55 days after planting, when the leaves are fully colored and have developed their characteristic deep blue-green hue and pronounced curl. You can harvest individual outer leaves as needed, working from the bottom of the plant upward and allowing the center to continue producing. The leaves become noticeably sweeter after exposure to frost, so later harvests often offer superior flavor.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.