Sea kale

Crambe maritima

Coastal perennial brassica with glaucous wavy leaves. Forced shoots were a Victorian luxury and remain a fine, almost-forgotten vegetable.

Hardiness ratings

Sea kale hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 4–9 −34.4 °C to −1.1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 4–9 −29 °C and warmer Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–5 −15 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Tolerates salt spray and poor sandy soils — happy in coastal gardens
  • Force in spring under a pot or bucket for tender, blanched shoots

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Sea kale against your zones

Reference

Sea kale on Wikipedia