When I see Flowering Kale and Ornamental Cabbage showing up in my local grocery or home store I know fall is around the corner. These plants make a gorgeous addition to your fall garden or front porch. Whether you decide to pot them or plant them, these two fall staples will bring color and beauty to your yard.
“What’s the difference?” you may ask. Well, according to Wisconsin Horticulture, “Technically, ornamental cabbage and kale are all kales (kales produce leaves in a tight rosettes; cabbages produce heads). But in the horticultural trade, ornamental kale is the term used for types with deeply-cut, curly, frilly or ruffled leaves. Ornamental cabbage is the term used for types with broad, flat leaves that are edged in a contrasting color.
Ornamental cabbage and kale are the same species as their edible cousins. They look a lot more like flowers than they do vegetables because they have been bred for color, not flavor, so while they look beautiful, they have a bitter taste and work much better as a garnish rather than an ingredient.
The Basics
Ornamental Cabbage and Flowering Kale are some of the easiest cool-weather plants to care for. When you plant them, make sure the root ball is loosened and that the bottoms of the leaves are flush with the container edge or ground. Then thoroughly water them.
When potting choose a container that has ample drainage. These plants like to be well watered, but avoid overwatering because they don’t like to be soggy. Place the container in partial to full sun*.
I always buy my plants already potted and ready to go, but if you want to start from seeds there are a few important things to know. Seeds should be started by midsummer to be ready for fall planting. Light is necessary for germination, so sprinkle seeds on the soil but do not cover them up. Keep your newly planted seeds at 65 to 70 degrees F. to help aid with germination. The seedling will sprout in about 4 to 6 days. You should use a time-release fertilizer about 3 weeks after transplanting to ground or planter.
If you would like to buy seeds from Amazon you can click here for Ornamental Cabbage and here for Flowering Kale. As an Amazon affiliate I may earn from qualifying purchases.
Whether you grow them yourself or buy them in the store, these plants like it cold. The color will really begin to develop and intensify once nighttime temperatures go below 60 degrees F.
If, like me, you decide to purchase them at the store or garden center, choose a size that fits where you want to plant it. Transplants grow very slowly so they will stay roughly the same size as when you purchased them.
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial is okay in warmer climates |
| Soil Type | Medium moisture, well-drained |
| Soil pH | 5.8 to 6.5, slightly acidic |
| Hardiness Zones | 2-11 |
| Plant Type | Annual |
| Mature Size | 12 to 18 inches, height, and width |
| Colors | Pink, Purple, white, and red |
Some Ideas
Feel free to mix and match varieties, or add in some fall favorites like mums, pansy, or aster. Here are a few containers with mixed plants that have been beautifully put together.
Using different shades of ornamental cabbage and flowering kale can create a nice homey look on your porch or in your flower garden.
You can let your creativity shine and use them to make dazzling unique bouquets for weddings or charming and elegant holiday table centerpieces.
Did you Know ?
Ornamental Cabbage and Flowering Kale are not alone. Other common vegetables have ornamental varieties. And many other veggies look lovely in ornamental gardens and planters. We all know about pumpkins and gourds, but how about eggplants and artichokes?
Ornamental peppers come in as many varieties as the edible peppers do. Grown for beauty, not flavor, these peppers are grown from mid-summer through fall.
Image Gardeningknowhow.com
The Globe Artichoke looks as beautiful in your garden or planter as it does on your plate.
Image medium.com
Ornamental corns towering stalks look great in the background of a fall garden. Then can be harvested and used in all sorts of decorations, such as wreaths and centerpieces.
Image Gurneys.com
Because of it appearance, Ornamental eggplant is also know as pumpkin on a stick. It makes a great fall decoration.
Image Harriseeds.com
Swiss Chard is often found in fall gardens because of its shiny green foliage and colorful stems.
Image Premiergrowers.com
Remember. Fall isn’t just for Mums and Pumpkins. Flowering Kale and Ornamental Cabbage are always a great addition to your yard.