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Kale (Karam Saag)RabiOpen-pollinatedUpdated 2 September 2026

Red Russian type

A flat, frilly-edged, purple-tinged ornamental-and-eating kale type sold to Indian home and kitchen gardeners through specialty seed retailers; more tender than curly types.

SeasonRabi
Maturity period50–60 days
Expected yieldMedium
Suitable soilLoam

Quick facts

Crop
Kale (Karam Saag)
Type
Open-pollinated
Season
Rabi
Maturity period
50–60 days
Seed rate
A small home-garden or specialty-plot quantity is typical — check the seed packet, since it is usually sold in small retail quantities rather than bulk agricultural lots
Expected yield
Medium
Suitable soil
Loam
Release
A long-established open-pollinated heirloom-type kale sold through specialty retailers, not an ICAR release

About this variety

Red Russian is a flat-leaved, frilly-edged kale type with purple-tinged stems and veins, distinct in appearance from the tightly curled Scotch and hybrid types. It is milder and more tender than curly kale, which makes it popular specifically for raw salad use rather than only cooking, and it is sold to Indian home and kitchen gardeners through specialty seed retailers as both an ornamental and edible plant. Like Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch, it is open-pollinated, so seed can be saved from a good stand for the next season rather than bought fresh each time.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeOpen-pollinated
    Maturity50–60 days
    Yield potentialMedium
    Disease resistanceNot specifically documented
    SoilLoam
    SeasonRabi

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeAugust–October, the crop's general window, suited to home gardens across most of India's cooler regions and hill stations
  • Seed rateA small home-garden or specialty-plot quantity is typical — check the seed packet, since it is usually sold in small retail quantities rather than bulk agricultural lots
  • Spacing45 × 30 cm, or somewhat closer for a compact home-garden bed

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

50–60 days

Expected yield

Medium

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

  • Not specifically documented

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • More tender and milder than curly kale types, well suited to raw salad use as well as cooking.
  • Open-pollinated, so seed can be saved and re-sown from a good home-garden stand.
  • Doubles as an attractive ornamental plant given its purple-tinged stems and frilly leaf edges.

Things to consider

  • Sold mainly through home-garden and specialty retailers rather than agricultural seed suppliers, so bulk commercial quantities may be harder to source than for Namdhari or Bejo hybrids.
  • Its more tender leaf may hold up less well to repeated cutting and transport than a sturdier curly type intended for commercial sale.

Suitable regions

Sold to home and kitchen gardeners nationwide through specialty seed retailers, not tied to one recommended growing state.

  • Wide adaptability

Sourced from: Grow Kale in India with these easy steps — AllThatGrows. editorial policy.