Lacinato Kale Seeds (Organic)

Lacinato Kale, also called Dino Kale, Dinosaur Kale, Cavolo Nero, or Tuscan Kale, is an open-pollinated heirloom with long, dark blue-green leaves and a deeply savoyed texture. The mild, slightly sweet flavor works well in salads, soups, sautés, and kale chips. Its upright habit helps the plant fit neatly into garden rows and raised beds. Kale – Lacinato – Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group) Planting & Growing: Grow in full sun to partial shade in moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Start indoors about 6 weeks before the last expected frost, or direct sow as soon as the soil can be worked.

Variety Details

• Botanical name: Brassica oleracea
• Plant type: Biennial
• Growth habit: Herbaceous
• Crop category: Cabbage
• Kitchen profile: Lacinato Kale, also called Dino Kale, Dinosaur Kale, Cavolo Nero, or Tuscan Kale, is an open-pollinated heirloom with long, dark blue-green leaves and a deeply savoyed texture.
• Recorded feature: Open-Pollinated
• Product format: Seed packet with a separately listed bulk option

Sowing & Growing

• Soil Temperature: 45–95°F
• Planting Depth: 1/4"–1/2"
• Germination: 5–18 days
• Height at Maturity: 24"
• Days to Maturity: 62 days
• Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade
• Spacing After Thinning: 16"

Schedule Lacinato Kale for the cool-season planting window appropriate to your climate. Start seed in a protected setting or direct sow when the product record allows, then thin or transplant so each plant has room to develop. Check moisture at root depth and adjust irrigation to weather and soil rather than a universal schedule. As maturity approaches, inspect head, stem, or leaf development according to the crop type and harvest at the preferred size and firmness.

For a fall crop, sow in midsummer according to local conditions.

Learn more in our How to Grow Kale guide.

Harvest: Begin picking outer leaves when they reach a usable size, leaving the center to continue growing.

Before sowing Lacinato Kale, review the packet alongside the current product details and note any range in temperature, germination, or maturity. Ranges reflect biological and seasonal variation rather than a fixed promise. Label each planting with its date and location, then compare emergence, growth, and harvest with local weather. This record is useful for succession plantings and for deciding whether the crop fits better into an earlier or later seasonal window.

Explore related options in our How to Grow Kale guide.