Dino Kale
Best seeds for growing robust, flavorful kale at home.
This beloved kale variety is the sweetest of them all. The black-green foliage of this plant is nearly reptilian: deeply hued, rippled, and tough. Despite its rough appearance, it is extremely sweet and tender. It was also Kale's favorite brassica, as it is for gardeners worldwide, who have given it many names: Lacinato, Cavolo Nero, Tuscan Kale, Palm Tree Kale, and Dinosaur Kale. A consistent, long-season garden companion, Dino Kale will never go extinct as long as you grow it each year. While it isn't quite as cold hardy as its kale cousins, it usually survives most of the winter under a blanket of row cover and snow. The seed we sourced for this particular kale variety was selected after trialing several other sources, and we chose it for it hardiness, vigor, and broad leaves.
$4.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
270
/ 6090
#270 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-53%
Below average
Days to Maturity
65
/ days
Who it's for
- Health-conscious individuals seeking nutrient-dense additions to their diet.
- New gardeners desiring a successful, low-maintenance vegetable crop.
- Home cooks exploring diverse, healthy ingredients for their kitchen.
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in areas with high pest pressure or those preferring minimal intervention.
- Urban gardeners with limited plot space or container growers.
- Cooks sensitive to bitter flavors or those expecting consistently mild greens.
Performance breakdown
Flavor Profile
Unmatched sweetness and tenderness define this classic heirloom variety.
Growth Vigor
Selected specifically for robust health and reliable, broad-leaf development.
Harvest Window
Long-season production ensures a steady supply for your kitchen table.
Versatility
Equally productive as a mature garden staple or quick microgreen harvest.
Cold Tolerance
Reliable winter performer when protected by simple row covers.
Sourcing Integrity
Certified organic seeds vetted through rigorous multi-source field trials.
Key Specs
Days to Maturity
65 days
Days to Germination
5-10 days
Width at Maturity
18 inches
Height at Maturity
18-36 inches
Sun Conditions
Partial Sun (4-6 hours Sun), Full Sun (8+ Hours Sun)
Planting Depth
_ inches
Row Spacing
12 inches
Plant Spacing
18 inches
Features
- Sweet and Tender Foliage
- Reptilian Black-Green Rippled Leaves
- Consistent Long-Season Garden Companion
- Suitable for Microgreens
- Certified Organic Seeds
- Heirloom Variety
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of Dino Kale seeds from Hudson Valley Seed Co. Gardeners frequently report high germination rates and robust, healthy plants that thrive. The ease of cultivation is another recurring positive, making it a favorite for both novice and experienced growers seeking a reliable and productive harvest. Many appreciate the delicious flavor and tender texture of the mature kale, highlighting its versatility in culinary applications. Overall, the sentiment reflects deep satisfaction with the product's performance and the resulting bountiful yields.
Know before you buy
Dino Kale, also known as Lacinato or Tuscan kale, is widely considered the sweetest and most tender variety. Its rippled, dark leaves lack the tough, fibrous texture often found in curly kale, making it excellent for both raw salads and cooked dishes.
Yes, Dino Kale is well-suited for containers. Ensure your pot is at least 12 inches deep and wide to accommodate its root system, and provide consistent moisture to keep the leaves tender.
You can expect to harvest your first leaves approximately 65 days after planting. If you prefer to harvest it as microgreens, you can begin cutting the young greens much sooner.
While not as cold-hardy as some other kale varieties, Dino Kale is quite resilient. It can typically survive most of the winter if protected by a row cover or a blanket of snow.
To ensure healthy growth, space your plants 18 inches apart. This allows the plant enough room to reach its full height of up to 36 inches and a spread of 18 inches.
Yes, these are certified organic, heirloom seeds. They have been carefully selected for their vigor, hardiness, and broad, high-quality leaves.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$5