Kale is a perennial grown for its leaves, ready to start cutting about 60 days after sowing. It's hardy across USDA zones 2 through 11. Its spring flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees, even though the leaves are the prize. As a brassica (the cabbage family), give it a fresh bed each year — away from where its relatives just grew — so the soil-borne pests and diseases of the family never get a foothold.
Zones
2-11
pH Range
5.5-8.5
Sun
Part Sun
Days to Maturity
60
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What Kale is
Kale grows as a perennial and reaches around two feet at maturity. It blooms yellow in spring.
How to grow Kale
Kale grows in USDA zones 2 through 11 and is ready to harvest about 60 days after planting. Kale does best in part sun — at least 4 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5.5 to 8.5, on well-drained ground. It needs around 1,300 growing degree days to mature and a growing season of at least 60 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
2-11
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5.5 - 8.5
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Part Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
41°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Days to Maturity
60 days
Kale; cut-and-come-again.
UMass-Veg; Cornell
GDD Required
1300+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
2 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
60+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant kale in part sun with at least 4 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Kale prefers pH 5.5 to 8.5 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at maturity
Kale is ready about 60 days after sowing (UMass-Veg; Cornell). Cut the outer leaves as you need them — frequent harvest keeps new growth coming.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — kale isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Kale offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Kale thrives
On hardiness alone, kale grows across most of the country — its range (USDA zones 2 through 11) is unusually wide. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 2–11·Where Kale growsOpen map →
Continental US shown — Alaska and US Pacific territories sit outside the federal map's polygon dataset.
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Kale can grow in these states:
See if Kale will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether kale actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Kale in my zone?
Kale grows in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 11 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
How long does Kale take to grow?
Kale is ready to harvest about 60 days after planting (UMass-Veg; Cornell). Your local frost dates and soil temperature move that window earlier or later.
When should you plant Kale?
Most growers plant kale after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 60-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Kale need?
Kale does well in partial sun — around 4 hours of direct sun, and it takes some afternoon shade in stride. That flexibility makes it a good match for a bed the house or a nearby tree shades for part of the day. A Growable Ground report maps how the sun actually falls on your land, hour by hour, so you can set it where the light lines up.
What soil does Kale need?
Kale prefers soil pH 5.5 to 8.5, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Kale attract pollinators?
Yes — kale's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Kale safe for pets?
Kale is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.