Ornamental Cabbage*

(Question)

Are ornamental cabbages and kale edible?

 

 

(Answer)

Ornamental cabbage and kale (also known as “flowering” cabbage and kale) are both in the genus Brassica.

Ornamental cabbage and kale are prized primarily as colorful additions to home gardens or fall containers where they are grown for their large rosettes of white, pink, purple or red leaves. These plants were developed for their spectacular colours and are not edible.

They are easily grown in organically rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Ornamental cabbage and kale are cool weather plants that need cool temperatures to produce best leaf colors as a result, they are best grown in the cool temperatures of fall, but may also be grown in early spring.

The following link form The Missouri Botanical Garden gives detailed information on growing these beautiful plants:

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b738