Description
Red Curly Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica), known in Italian as Cavolo Kale Riccio Rosso, is an attractive leafy vegetable prized for its deeply curled, reddish-purple leaves and vigorous growth. Its colourful foliage becomes particularly vibrant during cooler weather, making it both a productive vegetable and an ornamental addition to home gardens.
With its rich, slightly earthy flavour, Red Curly Kale is perfect for soups, stews, salads, smoothies, sautéed vegetables and crispy kale chips. Its ability to produce fresh leaves over an extended period makes it an excellent choice for Malta’s autumn and winter vegetable gardens.
🌱 Growing Instructions
☀️ Sunlight: Prefers full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Benefits from partial afternoon shade during warmer weather.
💧 Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Regular watering encourages tender leaves and healthy growth.
🌱 Soil: Plant in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost or organic matter.
🌡️ Temperature: Grows best between 10°C–22°C. Tolerates cool winter conditions well, with cooler temperatures encouraging richer leaf colouring.
📏 Spacing: Allow approximately 40–50 cm between plants for healthy foliage development and good air circulation.
🌾 Fertilizer: Apply a balanced vegetable fertilizer every 3–4 weeks during active growth, following product instructions.
✂️ Harvesting: Pick the lower, outer leaves as needed, leaving the central growing point intact. Young leaves can generally be harvested approximately 50–70 days after transplanting, depending on growing conditions. Regular harvesting encourages continued production.
🌿 Local Growing Tips (Malta)
Best planting season: September to February, for growing and harvesting during Malta’s cooler months.
Position: Sunny vegetable gardens, raised beds or large containers with fertile soil and good drainage.
Companion plants: Lettuce, onions, celery and aromatic herbs.
Common issue: Cabbage caterpillars and aphids can damage the leaves. Inspect plants regularly and use protective insect netting when necessary.
📦 Product Information
Variety: Riccio Rosso (Red Curly Kale)
Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Plant Type: Leafy Vegetable Seedling
Quantity: 6 Seedlings per Tray
First Harvest: Approximately 50–70 days after transplanting, depending on growing conditions
Harvest Season: Autumn to Spring
Special Characteristics: Deeply curled reddish-purple leaves, attractive ornamental foliage, excellent cold tolerance and repeated harvesting of tender leaves.
Important Information
Pictures shown may vary from actual product due to the live nature of the items. Some items may be out of stock for various reasons, we will issue a refund or offer alternatives should that be the case.
The price is per one tray of 6 seedlings.
