What are the best kale varieties for hydroponics? The best kale varieties for hydroponic yield are Premier and Beira, which gave 16.5 and 12.9 oz (468 and 367 g) per plant in a Cornell NFT trial. For nutrition, Toscano and Dazzling Blue had the most carotenoids. In Florida soilless trials, Winterbor and Red Russian gave the highest total yields.
Key takeaway: Picking the best kale varieties for a hydroponic system makes a bigger difference than most growers expect. A Cornell University trial of 14 cultivars found the top yielders produced more than three times as much as the lowest. This guide combines that NFT study with a University of Florida soilless trial so you can choose by yield, nutrition and leaf type.
| Variety | Hydroponic Result | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Premier | 16.5 oz (468 g)/plant, top NFT yield | Cornell (Greenhouse Grower, 2020) |
| Beira | 12.9 oz (367 g)/plant, second highest | Cornell |
| Toscano (Lacinato) | Highest carotenoids; lower yield | Cornell |
| Dazzling Blue | Highest carotenoids with Toscano | Cornell |
| Winterbor | Top total yield in coir bags, 6 harvests | Univ. of Florida |
| Red Russian | Total yield similar to Winterbor | Univ. of Florida |
| Scarlet, Red Chidori | Lowest NFT yields, about 4 oz (115 to 118 g) | Cornell |
Which Kale Grows Best in a Hydroponic System?
Premier and Beira. Cornell researchers grew 14 kale cultivars in NFT in a greenhouse, harvesting at baby-leaf size after two weeks and juvenile size after four. At juvenile size, Premier yielded 16.5 oz (468 g) per plant and Beira 12.9 oz (367 g), more than three times Scarlet and Red Chidori. By yield alone, these are the best kale varieties for NFT.
- Premier: smooth leaves with serrated edges.
- Beira: smooth, wide, cabbage-like leaves.
- Trade-off: both had below-average carotenoids, per Cornell.
- Setup: see how to grow kale hydroponically.
Is Lacinato or Curly Kale Better Indoors?
It depends on your goal, and both types rank among the best kale varieties. Lacinato-type Toscano had the highest carotenoid levels in the Cornell trial, along with Dazzling Blue, but yielded far less than the top varieties. Curly Winterbor was the industry standard in the University of Florida trial and gave one of the highest total yields, while Nero di Toscano was close behind and popular for juicing and chips.
- Lacinato (Toscano, Nero di Toscano): dark blue-green, flat, waxy, savoyed leaves; most nutritious in the Cornell test.
- Curly (Winterbor, Redbor, Scarlet): high yield for Winterbor; Scarlet was among the lowest in NFT.
- Red Russian: lobed leaves with purple veins; high yield in Florida.
- Color clue: Cornell found the darkest blue-green kales had the most carotenoids.
Many growers keep one curly and one Lacinato type among their best kale varieties (our guidance).
How Many Harvests Can One Kale Plant Give?
Many, and the best kale varieties keep producing longest. In the University of Florida trial, kale in coconut coir bags was harvested six times between April 16 and July 10, so about every two to three weeks. Winterbor, Red Russian and Nero di Toscano still gave high yields at the final July harvest, despite summer heat under 30% shade cloth. Pick outer leaves and leave the growing tip.
- Leaf harvest: take the oldest outer leaves first (our guidance).
- Baby leaf: Cornell harvested at five to seven true leaves, about 6 inches (15 cm) tall.
- Juvenile: 15 to 20 true leaves, about 20 inches (51 cm) tall.
- Nutrition bonus: in 10 of 14 varieties, baby-leaf kale had more carotenoids than juvenile kale.
What Nutrient Settings Do Hydroponic Kale Need?
The Florida trial used pH 5.8 and EC 2.0 mS/cm with about 150 ppm nitrogen, 200 ppm potassium and 220 ppm calcium, irrigated three to six times per day with 10 to 20% leaching. Those numbers work for most of the best kale varieties in drip or bag culture. In NFT or DWC, check pH and EC every few days.
- pH: 5.8; see pH control.
- EC: 2.0; see EC and TDS.
- Media option: see coco coir hydroponics.
- Bucket option: see Dutch bucket hydroponics.
Does the Hydroponic System Matter for Kale?
Somewhat. A 2024 University of Tennessee thesis grew Toscano kale for a year in ebb and flood, NFT and DWC in a greenhouse, plus a shipping container farm. NFT plants had the highest percent dry mass, and the container farm produced twice the total mass of all three greenhouse systems combined, though it needed twice the weekly labor.
- Lights matter: the container farm ran LEDs for 20 hours a day.
- Small spaces: choose compact types and harvest young (our guidance).
- Pests: inspect leaf undersides for aphids and mites; see spider mites.
Whatever system you use, the best kale varieties still come down to yield versus nutrition.
Which Kale Should Beginners Grow First?
Start with one high-yield type and one nutritious type. Based on the trials, a simple pairing of the best kale varieties is Premier or Winterbor for volume and Toscano for flavor and carotenoids. Red Russian is a good third choice because it yielded well in Florida and its tender, lobed leaves suit salads (our guidance).
- Sow seeds in rockwool, as Cornell did, and transplant after about three weeks.
- Space plants about 6 inches (15 cm) apart, as in the Florida bags.
- Harvest baby leaves at two weeks after transplant or juvenile leaves at four.
- Keep notes on yield and taste so you can drop the weakest variety next season (our guidance).
FAQ About the Best Kale Varieties
What is the highest-yielding hydroponic kale?
Premier, at 16.5 oz (468 g) per plant in a Cornell NFT trial.
Which kale is most nutritious?
Toscano and Dazzling Blue had the most carotenoids.
Is Red Russian good for hydroponics?
Yes; it matched Winterbor’s yield in Florida.
Can I grow Lacinato kale hydroponically?
Yes; Toscano was grown in NFT, DWC and ebb and flood.
Which are the best kale varieties for baby greens?
Cornell found baby leaf higher in carotenoids for most types.
What pH does kale need?
About 5.8, as in the Florida trial.
Sources
- Greenhouse Grower (Cornell University) — 5 Top Takeaways From Trial of Hydroponic Kale Cultivars
- University of Florida IFAS, NFREC Suwannee Valley — Evaluation of Eight Kale Cultivars Grown Under an Open Shaded Structure in North Florida
- University of Tennessee, 2024 — Kale Production Efficiency, Yield, and Quality When Hydroponically Grown in a Greenhouse and Shipping Container Farm
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Lacinato kale by Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 3.0); Red Russian Kale by Geo Lightspeed7 (CC BY-SA 4.0)