10 Best Types of Kale: Discover Our Favorite Kale Varieties
Kale is a leafy green that has gained popularity for its rich flavor and impressive nutrition.
This vegetable comes in many different types, each with its own unique texture and taste.
From tender leaves to curly edges, kale varieties can add color and crunch to any meal.
Some kinds are mild and sweet, while others have a more robust, peppery bite.
The versatility of kale makes it a favorite among home cooks and chefs alike.
Growing or cooking with these greens can bring freshness and vibrancy to your kitchen creations.
Kale’s distinct qualities make it easy to enjoy in salads, soups, or smoothies.
Siberian Kale
Siberian kale brings hardy winter nutrition packed with deep green ruffled leaves perfect for cool climate gardens.
Cold-resistant plants thrive in temperatures other vegetables cannot survive.
Compact plants grow beautifully in small spaces like containers and raised beds.
Curly dark leaves provide rich calcium and vitamin A with minimal care requirements.
Nutritious and resilient, Siberian kale resists bolting better than many leafy green alternatives.
Gentle cooking methods like steaming preserve the vegetable's delicate flavor and maximum nutrient profile.
Walking Stick Kale
Walking stick kale packs impressive height and dual-purpose potential for adventurous gardeners.
Towering up to six feet tall, this unique kale variety produces long stems perfect for crafting walking sticks after careful drying and lamination.
Soil preparation matters most for successfully growing this extraordinary plant.
Well-draining garden spaces help Walking Stick Kale develop strong roots and maximize stem length.
Careful monitoring prevents caterpillar damage during growth cycles.
Harvest techniques determine the quality of both edible leaves and potential walking stick crafting.
Lacinato Kale
Lacinato kale presents deep blue-green leaves with extraordinary wrinkled textures that italian gardeners treasure for hearty dishes.
Gardens flourish with these elongated dinosaur-style leaves growing through cool seasons.
Mediterranean farmers originally cultivated this robust variety near Tuscany's rolling landscapes.
Robust nutrition fills each dark green leaf with vitamins and minerals beneficial for healthy diets.
Chefs prefer these leaves for their rich flavor and tender characteristics when prepared raw or cooked.
Darker coloration signals higher nutrient concentrations compared to lighter kale varieties.
Strong plant structures ensure exceptional growth in moderate climate zones across North America.
Tronchuda Kale
Tronchuda kale delivers exceptional mild cabbage flavor with its thick, blue-green leaves perfect for juicing and garden cultivation.
Portuguese gardeners prize this variety for its remarkable adaptability across temperature ranges.
Robust plants thrive effortlessly in cold and warm climates without complicated care requirements.
Home gardeners appreciate its straightforward growing process and quick germination rates.
Leafy harvests provide smooth textures ideal for blending into nutritious smoothies or sautéing as a side dish.
Healthy produce emerges consistently with minimal maintenance and strong resilience.
Seed selections guarantee successful cultivation for both beginner and experienced growers.
Red Russian Kale
Red russian kale bursts with tender, wide-toothed leaves sporting vibrant red stems that add visual drama to garden beds.
Young leaves work beautifully in fresh salads, while mature leaves become deliciously robust when cooked.
Calcium and vitamin C levels make this kale a nutritional powerhouse for health-conscious growers.
Seedlings emerge quickly and grow steadily in cooler climates with minimal fuss.
Disease resistance means you can cultivate these plants without constant worry about pest damage.
Harvest begins early and continues through multiple seasons, providing steady nutritional rewards.
Winter gardens especially benefit from Red Russian Kale's ability to withstand chilly temperatures while maintaining crisp, delectable leaves.
Scarlet Kale
Scarlet kale brings deep reddish-purple drama to garden plots with its uniquely frilled curly leaves.
Cold-hardy plants thrive in nutrient-rich soil and produce stunning color contrasts among green vegetables.
Seeds germinate easily and mature into robust plants that resist chilly temperatures.
Harvest leaves when young for maximum tenderness and most intense flavor profile.
Raw consumption highlights the vegetable's natural sweetness and vibrant color.
Winter gardens benefit from this decorative and delicious kale variety.
Nutritious and visually striking, Scarlet Kale transforms ordinary vegetable patches into edible art displays.
Ornamental Kale
Ornamental kale radiates garden elegance with dramatic rosettes featuring stunning pink, red, purple, and white leaves.
Cool season temperatures enhance kale's colorful display in spring and fall landscapes.
Brassica oleracea var.acephata thrives in consistently moist soil conditions.
Landscape designers frequently incorporate these plants as edible ornamental accents.
Compact growth patterns make ornamental kale perfect for borders and container gardens.
Edible and beautiful, these plants provide visual interest while offering nutritional benefits.
Rich colors and intricate leaf patterns transform garden spaces with minimal effort.
Curly Kale
Curly kale brings robust nutrition and peppery green leaves that gardeners love for quick harvests.
Mountain farmers prize this hearty vegetable for its resilient growing characteristics.
Cool weather gardens welcome curly kale's crinkled texture and deep green color.
Strong stems support dense leaves packed with vitamins and minerals.
Consistent moisture helps curly kale develop tender leaves with mild cabbage undertones.
Partial shade prevents bitter flavors from developing during hot summer months.
Simple care and regular watering ensure a bountiful harvest of crisp, nutritious greens for salads and cooking.
Chinese Kale / Gai Lan
Chinese kale brings robust vegetable flavors with tender flat leaves and delicate blossoms resembling broccoli.
Its mild, slightly sweet taste makes it perfect for stir-fries and steamed dishes.
Vegetable lovers value Chinese kale for its nutritional density and easy cultivation.
Home gardens benefit from its quick growth and low-care requirements.
Cooking methods like quick sautéing preserve its crisp texture and vibrant green color.
Healthy eaters will love this versatile and delicious alternative to traditional broccoli.
Redbor Kale / Purple Kale
Redbor kale presents a dramatic deep purple color that electrifies vegetable gardens with stunning visual appeal.
Dark burgundy leaves curl dramatically from strong central stems, creating a gorgeous ornamental and edible plant.
Nutrition lovers appreciate Redbor's high vitamin content and rich antioxidant profile packed into each curly leaf.
Mature plants reach heights around two to three feet, making them excellent centerpiece vegetables in raised beds or landscape borders.
Winter gardens benefit from Redbor's resilience, as these plants continue producing even when temperatures drop significantly.
Home cooks enjoy harvesting these tender leaves for salads, stir-fries, and hearty winter soups.
Seed collectors can easily save seeds from mature plants, ensuring continuous colorful crops for future seasons.