Brassica oleracea Kalettes

RHS Plant Profile
kale sprout [Kalettes]

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Annual Biennial

A cross between brussels sprouts and kale, but with the flavour of Kale or spring greens, these rosettes of loose, frilly green and purple leaves grow up to 75cm in height and are highly nutritious. They are also hardy and long-lived. Harvest from November through to April

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Clump forming
Genus
Brassicas can be annual, biennial or perennial plants, most are upright with alternate, often glaucous leaves, long taproots and clusters of cross-shaped, yellow or white flowers. The genus includes a number of species bred to produce food crops, such as cabbages, turnips, mustards and oilseed rape, as well as others grown for their ornamental value
Name Status
Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers a moist but well drained, alkaline to neutral soil. Water regularly in dry periods and add in plenty of organic matter prior to planting. See kale cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to cabbage caterpillars, cabbage whitefly, aphids, flea beetles and slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to black rot, downy mildew, foot and root rot, grey mould, leaf spot and white blister