Ornamental kale is only partially hardy. Although it can tolerate sub-zero temperatures, the thermometer must not drop below minus 8 degrees. Since it is grown as an annual plant, overwintering is only worthwhile if you want to get seeds from the flowers.
Is ornamental cabbage hardy and how do I overwinter it?
Ornamental kale is conditionally hardy and can withstand temperatures down to minus 8 degrees. Red varieties are suitable for overwintering outdoors, yellow- and white-leaved ornamental cabbage should be kept frost-free and bright in a pot, for example in a cool greenhouse.
Ornamental kale comes from Japan
The edible ornamental cabbage originally comes from Japan, where it was bred specifically for its colorful leaves. The plant is therefore used to cool temperatures. Like all types of cabbage, it is an annual and is usually not overwintered.
In contrast to most other ornamental plants, you do not care for ornamental kale for its flowers, but for its red, yellow and green-white leaves, which become a colorful focal point in the garden or on the terrace in autumn and winter.
The flowers develop the following spring. It is worth bringing the not completely hardy ornamental cabbage over the winter because the yellow flowers form a very nice contrast to the leaves. If you would like to propagate ornamental cabbage yourself, you must either overwinter the plant in a pot in the greenhouse or protect it from frost outdoors.
How to overwinter ornamental cabbage
- Covering ornamental cabbage outdoors
- Place ornamental cabbage in the pot in a bright but frost-free place
- preferably overwinter in a cool greenhouse
If you want to overwinter ornamental cabbage outdoors, you should prefer red varieties as they can best tolerate cold temperatures.
Yellow and white-leaved ornamental cabbage is better cared for in a container. The plant can easily be placed in a cool winter garden over the winter.
In spring, take the pot outside again and wait for the flowers to bloom. Once the ornamental cabbage has faded, collect seeds for propagation. The plant is then torn up and disposed of.
Don’t forget to water in mild winters
The ornamental cabbage also survives a mild winter outdoors. It just can't get colder than minus 8 degrees. To be on the safe side, you should wrap the plant in foil if the weather forecast predicts sharply falling temperatures.
You must not forget to water ornamental cabbage in a mild winter. Otherwise the leaves will dry out and the cabbage will die.
Tip
Ornamental cabbage, like all types of cabbage, is incompatible with itself. Therefore, look for a new place to plant every year or completely replace the potting soil.
