Plant Database / Vegetables / Collard Greens
Vegetables

Collard Greens

Brassica oleracea acephala
Brassicaceae (Mustard)

The South's bulletproof green. Pick the lower leaves and it just keeps making more for months.

EdibleCool-seasonNutrient-denseCut-and-come-againSurvival cropWe sell it
Collard Greens (Brassica oleracea acephala) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Water
Even
Soil
Rich
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardiness
Cool-season; very cold-hardy
Height
2–3 ft
Spacing
18–24 in
Days to harvest
55–75

What it is

Collard Greens (Brassica oleracea acephala) is in the Brassicaceae (Mustard) family. The South's bulletproof green. Pick the lower leaves and it just keeps making more for months.

How to grow it

It wants full sun to part shade, water it even, and give it rich soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.5. Space plants about 18–24 in apart. Expect roughly 55–75. Cool-season; very cold-hardy.

How it's used

Collard Greens is used: braised, sautéed, soups.

🔎 How to identify it

  • Large flat blue-green leaves
  • Tall central stem
  • Frost improves flavor

Edibility

PartsLeaves
UsesBraised, sautéed, soups
CautionNone.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.