Growing kale in USDA Zone 11 means frost-free and tropical: plant by heat and the wet/dry season, not by frost dates. Kale is the most heat-tolerant of the brassicas, which makes it the easiest of the cool-season leafy crops to grow in Zone 11 — but it is still a cool-season crop, and it will bolt in summer heat like the rest of them. This guide covers when to plant kale in Zone 11, with the soil, spacing, sun, water and care it needs. Use the Zone 11 planting calendar to see what else to sow alongside it.
Zone 11 at a glance
USDA Zone 11 has average winter lows of 40 to 50°F and is frost-free year-round — there is no last or first frost date to plan around. Plan by heat and by the wet and dry seasons instead: heat lovers grow year-round, while cool-season crops only succeed in the coolest months. These are zone averages, not promises for any one garden, so check your local extension service for your area.
| Detail | Zone 11 guidance |
|---|---|
| Last / first frost | None — Zone 11 is frost-free year-round |
| Average winter low | 40 to 50°F |
| Days to germination | 7–10 days |
| Days to maturity | 50–65 days |
| Sowing | Direct sow, or start indoors and transplant |
| Transplanting / planting out | Year-round (frost-free); best results in the planting window above |
| Harvest | Harvest 50–65 days after sowing/transplanting; pick regularly |
| Sun | full sun |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Spacing | 12–18 inches |
| Water needs | moderate |
When to plant kale in Zone 11
In Zone 11, grow kale in the coolest months, roughly December to February, when temperatures are at their lowest. Zone 11 is frost-free, with average winter lows of 40 to 50°F, so there is no frost to work around — heat is the limit instead. Kale copes with warmth better than cabbage or cauliflower, so it can be sown a little earlier and harvested a little later, but do not expect it to last through summer. Kale takes 50–65 days to maturity. Check your local extension service for the coolest planting windows in your area. If you are unsure of your own dates, the seed-starting calculator will help you work the timing out. Frost dates are zone averages — check your local extension service before you commit to a date.
Starting kale in Zone 11
Kale can be started indoors or direct sown. Sow in trays or direct in the bed, keep the seedbed moist, and grow seedlings on in good light — seeds germinate in 7–10 days. Thin or transplant to 12–18 inches apart, so plants have room to grow big leaves and air can move between them.
Soil, spacing, sun and water
Kale wants full sun and rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Dig in well-rotted compost before planting, since it is a hungry crop, and mulch to keep the roots cool as the season warms. It tolerates poorer soil better than cauliflower, but it still crops best in fertile ground. Kale needs moderate water, kept even. Water at the base in the morning, keep the soil moist while leaves are growing, and mulch to hold moisture in. Dry soil gives tough, bitter leaves, while steady water keeps them tender and sweet.
Companion planting
Good companions for kale include marigolds, basil, onions, lettuce. The companion planting finder can suggest combinations for your whole bed. Do not plant kale where other brassicas grew last year, and do not crowd plants. Good companions include marigolds, basil, onions and lettuce around the edges of the bed.
Pests and problems
The common pests and problems to watch for with kale are cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, slugs. Cabbage worms are the main pest, chewing holes in leaves, so inspect plants often and hand-pick them, or cover the crop with fine insect mesh from planting. Aphids cluster on young leaves, flea beetles chew small holes, and slugs take seedlings. Mesh is the most reliable control, and picking outer leaves regularly helps you spot trouble early.
Harvest and storage
Kale is ready 50–65 days after sowing. Pick the outer leaves first, leaving the centre to keep growing, and pick little and often for a long harvest. Leaves taste sweetest in cool weather, so harvest in the cool of the morning, and pick before plants bolt in the heat. Store kale in the fridge for a few days, wrapped loosely in a damp cloth, and use it fresh. It also freezes well after blanching, which is the best way to keep a glut.
Making the most of Zone 11
Zone 11 kale is the most forgiving brassica here, but it is still a cool-season crop: sow in the coolest months, water steadily, and pick outer leaves often. It is a good first brassica for Zone 11 gardeners, and a good way to learn the cool season before trying cauliflower. Related reading: Broccoli in Zone 11 and December in Zone 11. For how the same crop behaves one zone colder, see Kale in Zone 9.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant kale in Zone 11?
In Zone 11, grow kale in the coolest months, roughly December to February, when temperatures are at their lowest. Check your local extension service — these are zone averages, not exact dates for your garden.
How long do kale take to grow in Zone 11?
Seeds germinate in 7–10 days, and the crop takes 50–65 days to maturity. In Zone 11, allow the longer end of the range if conditions are cool or dry at sowing time.
Can kale survive summer in Zone 11?
Kale is the most heat-tolerant brassica, but it will still bolt in Zone 11's summer heat, so grow it in the coolest months, roughly December to February, and enjoy it while the weather is cool.
What soil and spacing do kale need in Zone 11?
Kale need full sun and soil pH 6.0–7.5, spaced 12–18 inches apart. Dig in well-rotted compost, water deeply, mulch, and test your soil through your local extension service.