This group contains the hybrids of Kai Lan and Chinese kale with origins in China and are popular varieties for Asian cuisine. The genus name Brassica is Latin for cabbage. This plant grows 1-2 feet tall and does best in full sun in amended well-drained moist garden soil. Obtain a soil test before planting and fertilize according to recommendations. This variety withstands summer heat better than other kales and is best grown between 64-82 degrees but can tolerate higher temperatures. They can be directly sown in the ground or planted as seedlings. In North Carolina plant after the last frost in spring. It may cause contact dermatitis in some people. The thick glossy blue-green young leaves can be harvested in 50-70 days and again once the flower buds appear on the stem. If left on too long they will become woody. The buds resemble small broccoli heads but will become white or yellow flowers if left to grow. Flower stalks, leaves and buds can be used raw or cooked. The flavor is similar to broccoli but stronger. This plant was crossed with broccoli to produce broccolini. Use this plant in the edible garden. Flowers will attract bees. Click here to see a calendar of planting schedules, time-to-harvest, and recommended spacing. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Insects include flea beetles, diamond-back moth, borers, and cabbage looper. At a lower level, aphids, grasshoppers and crickets. Spraying pesticides is not recommended for this edible plant. A serious disease for this plant is damping off. Providing good drainage will help to keep this disease at bay. See pests of crucifers to the left. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common Cole crop diseases and other plant problems. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Brassica oleracea .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.