VegetableKale
Dazzling Blue Kale
Lacinato Kale
Dazzling Blue Kale stands apart with its striking blue-green strap leaves highlighted by bold purple midribs, creating one of the most visually stunning kales in any garden. This open-pollinated lacinato-type variety matures in 50-60 days from transplants and grows into substantial 24-48 inch tall plants. Cool temperatures intensify its already remarkable coloring, making it exceptionally cold-tolerant among lacinato varieties and capable of surviving freezing temperatures better than its cousins.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
High
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Consistent Moisture
Preferred Temp60-75°F
Growth Stats
48 in
Height
24 in
Width
4 in
Spacing
50–60
Days to Harvest
PeriodPerennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
High
Zones
2-9
Size
48in H x 24in W
Growth
Perennial
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The spectacular blue-green foliage with vivid purple midribs makes this kale as ornamental as it is nutritious, transforming any salad into a work of art. This cold-hardy variety actually improves in both flavor and color intensity when kissed by frost, continuing to produce until temperatures drop to around 20°F. Unlike many tender greens, Dazzling Blue thrives in cool weather and performs exceptionally well as a fall crop when other vegetables are winding down.
Common Uses
This dramatic kale excels in fresh salads where its unique coloring can truly shine, making ordinary dishes visually stunning. The tender leaves work beautifully in both raw preparations and cooked applications, while the distinctive purple midribs add color contrast that holds up well through light cooking methods.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Not Applicable
First Harvest
Early Summer
Last Harvest
Late Fall
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date in 50-72 cell plug flats, sowing 2 seeds per cell at 1/4 inch deep. Maintain soil temperature at 65-85°F until germination, then reduce air temperature to about 60°F. For fall crops, start seeds in May for June-July transplanting.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors 12-24 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart when 4-6 weeks old. Set transplants out 1-2 weeks before the last frost date for spring crops, or in June-July for fall harvests.
Direct Sow
Direct sow 1-2 weeks before the last frost date when soil temperature reaches 45°F, or 10-12 weeks before the first fall frost for autumn crops. In mild climates, sow in fall for very early spring harvests.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting individual leaves about 2 months after planting by clipping from the bottom up, taking leaves at any size including the tender "baby" stage for multiple harvests. Never harvest more than one-third of the leaves at a time and avoid removing the terminal bud to keep plants productive. Cool weather and light frost actually improve the eating quality and intensify the colors, so continue harvesting well into fall until temperatures drop to around 20°F.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Brassica oleracea L.
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Brassica
Duration
Perennial
Growth Habit
Bush
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)CAN (W)GL (W)