Everyone should grow kale. A powerhouse leaf cabbage packed with nutrients, it’s a versatile crop that’s excellent in salads, smoothies, soups, and pasta (honestly, I put it in pretty much everything). It’s even a great snack when dried for chips!
Kale isn’t difficult to grow. It doesn’t mind being transplanted and sprouts right up from seed. Purchase a plant or seeds once, and you’ll always have it. This is a long-lived veggie that’s happy to reseed itself. Whether you have raised beds or only room for small containers, you can get kale to thrive for you, green thumb or not.
In this article, I’ll give you tips for growing tasty kale in containers. We’ll look at its ideal conditions and how to translate them for optimum output in your garden. Let’s get started!
Growing your own kale is a great way to ensure you have a steady supply of this super healthy green. Even if you don’t have a lot of garden space, you can easily grow kale in pots!
Kale is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It has very little fat and lots of fiber. Kale contains more iron than beef and more calcium than milk. It’s one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat.
The great news is kale is also simple to grow yourself. With just a pot, some quality soil and a little TLC, you can harvest bountiful crops of homegrown kale.
In this comprehensive guide you’ll learn everything you need to know about successfully cultivating kale in containers.
Choosing the Right Pot for Kale
Kale can grow quite large, reaching 2-3 feet tall at maturity. However, it doesn’t require an overly large container.
Here are some tips for picking the perfect pot for your kale:
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Size: Choose a pot at least 10 inches deep and 18 inches across. This will provide enough room for kale’s long taproot and foliage.
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Drainage: Excellent drainage is crucial. Select a container with multiple drainage holes.
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Material: Pick a durable pot made of ceramic, plastic or metal. Avoid porous materials like terra cotta that absorb water.
For a few plants, a large bucket or recycled nursery pot works well. You can also grow kale in a raised bed or gardening bag.
If short on space, go for dwarf kale varieties suited to containers. Mini kale reaches just 12-18 inches tall.
Getting the Timing Right
Kale thrives in cool weather. Hot summer temperatures above 75°F cause it to bolt and get bitter.
Time your planting carefully:
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Spring: Sow seeds directly in containers outdoors 2-4 weeks before your last spring frost date.
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Summer: Not recommended. Kale dislikes heat.
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Fall/Winter: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your first autumn frost. Transplant seedlings into pots.
You can harvest kale as soon as 55 days after planting. Stagger sowings every 2-3 weeks for continuous yields.
Choosing the Best Location
Pick a sunny spot for your potted kale. It needs at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Adequate sunlight results in tender, sweet leaves.
Shelter kale from hot afternoon sun to prevent bolting in summer. Move pots to a shadier spot or provide shade with a screen.
Protect containers from strong winds, which can damage tender greens.
Providing Nutrient-Rich Soil
Kale thrives in fertile soil amended with plenty of organic matter.
When growing in pots, high-quality potting mix is ideal. Or make your own by combining:
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2 parts compost, leaf mold or peat moss (for moisture retention)
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1 part perlite or vermiculite (for drainage)
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1 part coconut coir or composted bark (to aerate soil)
Kale prefers a soil pH between 6.0-7.0. Test pH and add lime if too acidic.
Before planting, mix in a handful of granular organic fertilizer like fish meal or bone meal. This provides a nutrient boost to fuel growth.
Direct Sowing vs. Transplanting
You can start kale three ways:
Direct sow: Plant seeds directly in containers outdoors once soil warms up. Thin seedlings to 6-12 inches apart.
Start indoors: Begin seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost. Transplant seedlings into pots.
Buy transplants: Purchase young potted kale plants and transplant them into your containers.
Transplants mature faster, while sowing seeds is cheaper. Choose the method that fits your schedule.
Caring for Container Kale
Kale needs moist soil but good drainage. Water when the top 1-2 inches become dry. Add mulch to conserve moisture.
Fertilize every 3-4 weeks with fish emulsion or compost tea. This provides vital nutrients lacking in containers.
Remove spent lower leaves regularly so plants keep producing new growth.
Avoiding Bolting
Kale bolts (prematurely flowers) when exposed to sun and temperatures over 75°F.
Here’s how to prevent early bolting:
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Provide afternoon shade
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Mulch around plants
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Ensure adequate, consistent moisture
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Use slower-bolting varieties
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Harvest leaves promptly before plants bolt
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Growing kale in pots is relatively trouble-free, but occasionally issues pop up:
Leaves with holes: Caused by cabbage worms or flea beetles. Cover plants with netting to exclude pests. Spray btK organic pesticide.
Wilting: Could be under-watering, over-watering or hot temps. Adjust watering practices and provide shade.
Yellowing leaves: Usually a sign of inadequate nutrients. Fertilize more frequently.
Slow growth: Culprits are low light, low temps or compacted soil. Move to sunnier area, use heat-loving varieties or repot in fresh soil.
Leggy, loose heads: Insufficient light. Relocate to brighter location.
Slugs: Use diatomaceous earth, copper tape or beer traps to deter these leaf-munching pests.
Harvesting Your Kale
Begin harvesting leaves when they reach 3-6 inches long. Use scissors to cut leaves off stems or pull leaves downward to pluck them off.
Pick lower, outer leaves first and work your way up the plant. This stimulates new growth so you get multiple harvests.
If you want, you can cut off the entire plant at soil level for a single harvest. Kale can be harvested until temperatures drop below 20°F.
Time your last sowing of the season in mid to late summer for winter and early spring harvesting. Kale handles light frosts very well.
Top Varieties for Containers
There are many great kale varieties for growing in pots:
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Dwarf Blue Curled: Frilly blue-green leaves reaching just 12-18 inches tall.
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Dinosaur/Lacinato: Dark strappy leaves with a sweet, earthy flavor.
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Red Russian: Cold hardy with pretty purple stems and green leaves tinted red.
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Redbor: Deep red frilly foliage. Stays tasty and colorful well into winter.
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Winterbor: Ruffled green leaves. Highly bolt resistant.
Experiment with different types to find your favorites!
Final Tips for Success
Follow these tips for an abundant kale harvest when cultivating it in containers:
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Use at least a 10-inch deep pot. Shallow pots restrict growth.
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Add organic compost or fertilizer to enrich soil nutrients.
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Place in full sun in spring/fall and part sun in summer.
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Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Add mulch.
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Harvest leaves regularly to promote continuous growth.
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Grow bolt-resistant varieties and provide shade in hot weather.
With the right care, you can enjoy homegrown kale even without an in-ground garden. Growing kale in pots lets you position it in the best spot for ample sun exposure.
The entire family will benefit from having this super healthy green close at hand. So grab some containers and potting mix and start growing your own kale today!
First, Pick the Right Container
Kale can grow pretty large, but its roots don’t take up much room. It doesn’t mind a bit of crowding but grows best if given the right amount of space. Keep these considerations in mind when choosing a container:
Kale can grow tall and deep-rooted, thriving in containers or larger spaces.
Kale is a vigorous green that can grow 2-3 feet tall. If given enough space, the roots will grow 18-24 inches into the ground. That said, kale will still grow successfully in a container that’s just 18 inches across and 10+ inches deep.
If you want to plant several varieties or more than one plant, stick with larger containers or a raised bed.
Kale prefers well-drained soil and can be grown in raised beds or containers with proper drainage.
Kale likes fertile, well-drained soil. Its roots will rot if the growing medium is too soggy. Make sure the container you choose has drainage holes, and if using a larger raised bed, amend heavy soil with compost and sand as needed so water can flow through freely.
My kale has been growing happily in raised beds for years. As a biennial, it has a two-year life cycle. In the first year, it develops lots of yummy leaves we love to eat.
In the 2nd year, it bolts quickly, forming a flowering stalk that produces seed for the next generation of baby sprouts. The flower stalk is also edible and tastes particularly sweet. You may have seen it sold as Kale Rabe or Napini.
Kale is easy to cultivate in raised beds or pots. If you have enough space, try Birdies Metal Raised Garden Beds. They’re made of tough galvanized steel and coated with food-safe paint. These are a great alternative to wood beds, which decay over time.
If you’re working with a smaller space or even just a patio, try Epic Grow Bags. They’re made of permeable felt, which aids in drainage and lets air flow to the roots. They give you the flexibility of moving to wherever’s convenient (i.e., a cooler, shady location for heat-hating kale).
Kale is pretty robust and will be happy in most containers, provided you plant it at the right time.
Seed vs. Nursery-Grown Plants
Many people prefer to plant kale from seed in early spring for its ease and cost-effectiveness.
I always plant my Kale from seed. It’s so easy to do and much cheaper than buying nursery plants. I direct sow into my raised bed in early spring once the soil can be worked, and I begin eating the baby greens within 3 weeks.
Kale seeds are pretty small. Sprinkle lightly on the surface, covering them with about ¼ inch of soil and patting down gently with your hand. Keep them moist and see sprouts in 7-10 days as long as temperatures reach 40 ℉.
Alternatively, you can skip seeding and buy a nursery-grown plant that may be ready to harvest right away. Plant it as deep as the nursery pot and try not to disturb the root ball. Water well and provide some shade for a few days to avoid shock.
How to Grow Kale from Seed in Containers and Grow Bags | Easy Planting Guide
FAQ
Does kale regrow after cutting?
Kale is programmed to continue to produce leaves for some time. If you cut the stems or root, you’ll damage the plant and either stall or destroy any potential new growth. Instead, cut at the base of the leaves you want to pick in one session and leave everything else alone (new growth, stems, and roots included).
How many kale can you plant in a 5 gallon bucket?
While it’s true that larger containers provide more room for root growth and retain moisture better, kale doesn’t require much space since its roots only go down about 6-8 inches deep. A good rule of thumb is 1 plant per 5-gallon container or 2-3 plants per 10-gallon container.
Does kale grow better in shade or sun?
Kale grows best in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade as well.
Can Kale grow in containers?
Yes, kale (Brassica oleracea) will grow in containers, and not only that, but it’s easy to grow your own potted kale plants and they don’t need much space. In fact, you can grow one or two kale plants in a pot along with your annual flowers or perennials.
How big should a kale pot be?
Siberian Kale: Has large, gray-green ruffled leaves. Redbor Kale: This is Ornamental and edible with stunning red leaves with purple veins. For one plant per pot, 8-12 inches container will be more than enough. Drainage holes are a must. If you are growing multiple plants together, or growing kale with herbs, go for a 22-24 inches pot.
Can you grow Kale in pots?
Growing Kale in Pots is a great way to get your hands on healthy greens even when you’re short on space. Kale has innumerate health benefits on offer and you’ll be reaping them all fresh and free! Being a cool-weather crop, kale can withstand temperatures as low as 20 F (-5 C). For cold regions, plant in early spring.
How much space does Kale need to grow?
Kale grows excellently in well-draining containers like pots and planter bowls that are not less than 12 to 14-inch for one plant. Kale roots need enough room to grow underneath. You can also use a 5 to 10-gallon container or an old toolbox tote. Reusing trash items or old stuff are always the right thing to do!
How many Kale plants can you grow in a pot?
Likely, one pot will only be able to grow one kale plant, the alternative if you want more plants is to use large pots or planters or grow kale in raised beds . Diane Kuthy, founder of How To Grow Everything, says you should not fret about not growing numerous kale plants if you are short of space.
How do you grow a Kale plant?
For the kale plant, you’ll need loose soil enriched with organic compost. Get your plant container and add the soil gradually. Sprinkle water on every layer to make sure the soil is moistened underneath. Dig a hole in the center and gently put a seedling in it.