Lacinato Kale Plant Care

Lacinato Kale (Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia) belongs to the family. Lacinato Kale is native to Western Europe, Southern Europe. Lacinato Kale is also known as Dinosaur Kale.

Lacinato Kale displays a grows long palmate leaves green to blue leaves and forms a rosette. growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Lacinato Kale produces yellow flowers in a cross-shaped pattern.

Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Lacinato Kale every 5–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Lacinato Kale thrives in full sun.

Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Lacinato Kale prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-drained, fertile soil that is high in organic matter. The ideal pH is 6.0 to 7.5. Good drainage is essential for Lacinato Kale to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-drained, fertile soil that is high in organic matter. The ideal pH is 6.0 to 7.5. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Lacinato Kale is suited to USDA Zone 7b – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Lacinato Kale can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Lacinato Kale while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Lacinato Kale is hardy down to USDA zone 7b, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Lacinato Kale can be propagated through seeds and cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mustard greens plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Lacinato Kale is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, whitefliespotting: repot brassica oleracea var. palmifolia every 1-2 years in the spring.. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Lacinato Kale grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7b. Lacinato Kale is native to Western Europe, Southern Europe.