Dwarf Blue Curled Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala 'Dwarf Blue Curled'
A compact heirloom kale variety dating back to the 1860s, prized for its intensely curled blue-green leaves and sweet flavor that improves with frost. This space-saving variety is perfect for small gardens and containers while still providing abundant harvests of tender, flavorful leaves. The attractive, heavily ruffled foliage also makes it an excellent ornamental edible.
Harvest
55-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
6–9
USDA hardiness
Height
10-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Dwarf Blue Curled Kale in USDA Zone 7
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Dwarf Blue Curled Kale · Zones 6–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January – January | February – March | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | January – March | March – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits dry and split when ripe.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Siliqua. Length: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Dwarf Blue Curled Kale stores best when harvested dry and immediately refrigerated. Remove damaged leaves, wrap loosely in damp paper towels, and store in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Properly stored kale maintains quality for 7-10 days at 32-35°F with high humidity.
For longer preservation, blanch clean leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, shock in ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in portion-sized bags for up to 8 months. The heavily curled texture holds up well to freezing and works excellently in soups and smoothies.
Dehydrate whole leaves at 95°F for 12-24 hours to make nutrient-dense kale chips—the compact, curled structure creates perfectly crispy results. Lacto-fermentation also works well with this variety; massage chopped leaves with salt and ferment for 3-5 days for a tangy, probiotic-rich condiment that stores refrigerated for several months.
History & Origin
Dwarf Blue Curled Kale represents one of the oldest cultivated forms of Brassica oleracea, with its origins tracing back to the Mediterranean region over 2,000 years ago. The specific 'Dwarf Blue Curled' variety was first documented in American seed catalogs in the 1860s, developed during the Victorian era's fascination with compact, ornamental vegetables suitable for small urban gardens.
This heirloom variety gained prominence in Northern European communities, particularly among German and Scandinavian immigrants who valued its exceptional cold tolerance and ability to provide fresh greens through harsh winters. The intense leaf curling—a genetic trait selected over generations—served both practical and aesthetic purposes, creating more surface area for photosynthesis while producing an attractive, almost sculptural garden plant.
By the early 1900s, Dwarf Blue Curled Kale was a staple in American victory gardens and European cottage gardens. Its compact habit made it ideal for small-space gardening long before container gardening became trendy. The variety nearly disappeared during the mid-20th century's push toward uniformity in agriculture but was preserved by dedicated seed savers who recognized its unique combination of beauty, flavor, and reliability.
Advantages
- +Attracts: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
- +Wildlife value: It serves as a host plant for butterflies, moths, flies, sawflies and beetles.
- +Edible: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cabbage worms, repels cucumber beetles
Marigolds
Repels cabbage moths, aphids, and other brassica pests with strong scent
Dill
Attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize cabbage worms and aphids
Onions
Repels cabbage root maggots, aphids, and flea beetles with sulfur compounds
Garlic
Natural fungicide properties, repels cabbage loopers and root maggots
Lettuce
Makes efficient use of space as ground cover, doesn't compete for nutrients
Carrots
Deep taproot breaks up soil for shallow kale roots, different nutrient needs
Chamomile
Improves flavor of brassicas and attracts beneficial insects
Keep Apart
Tomatoes
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt kale growth
Strawberries
Kale can inhibit strawberry growth and both attract similar pests
Pole Beans
Can shade dwarf kale and compete for nitrogen despite bean's fixing ability
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168421)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good cold tolerance, moderate disease resistance
Common Pests
Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, cabbage loopers
Diseases
Clubroot, black rot, downy mildew