Lacinato Kale

Heirloom Italian kale with long, dark blue-green leaves and a rich, earthy-sweet flavor.

Tall, elegant, and deeply textured, Lacinato has that inky blue-green color and long, wrinkled leaves that look prehistoric (hence “dino kale”). It’s sweetened by cool weather and beloved by chefs for soups, sautés, and salads alike.

• Days to Maturity: 65–80
• Leaf Size: 2–3 in. wide, 10–18 in. long
• Type: Tuscan / Dinosaur
• Highlights: Heat and cold tolerant, tender when young, sweetens after frost
• Best For: hearty soups, kale chips, and gardeners who want a show-stopper plant that looks as good as it tastes.

Known as “dinosaur kale” for its bumpy leaves, Lacinato has a hearty flavor that gets sweeter with frost. Great for soups, sautés, or salads when picked young. In the NC Piedmont, plant early spring or late summer for a long harvest.