Photo: © Daniel IseliPlantoScanImage: PlantoScan
Sea Kale Plant Care
Crambe maritima L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Crambe maritima, common name sea kale, seakale or crambe, is a species of halophytic (salt-tolerant) flowering plant in the genus Crambe of the family Brassicaceae. It grows wild along the coasts of mainland Europe and the British Isles.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Sea Kale?
Water Sea Kale every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Sea Kale?
Sea Kale (Crambe maritima) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Crambe genus. Sea Kale is also known as Colewort, Seakale.
Sea Kale displays a clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Sea Kale produces small white clustered flowers in terminal panicles.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sea Kale?
Crambe maritima requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Sea Kale Need?
Sea Kale thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sea Kale Prefer?
Crambe maritima grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Sea Kale prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sea Kale?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Sea Kale to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sea Kale?
Feed Sea Kale every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Sea Kale?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Sea Kale?
Sea Kale can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tree crambe plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sea Kale Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sea Kale, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Sea Kale?
Sea Kale is susceptible to aphids, flea beetles, cabbage worms. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Sea Kale Need?
Sea Kale grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Sea Kale as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Sea Kale is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Crambe genus — compare its care with other Crambe species on PlantoScan.
Crambe is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.
Sea Kale thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Crambe maritima L., family Brassicaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 671 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sea Kale, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: © Daniel Iseli, PlantoScan.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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