Leafy green
Can you grow Kale on a balcony?
Brassica oleracea
Yes — great in containers
Kale (Brassica oleracea) grows well on a balcony in a pot of at least 20 litres (about 30 cm deep). It needs full sun — around 6+ hours of direct sun a day. Ready from September onwards; picks through autumn, winter and spring. All figures below are sourced from RHS and the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Sun
☀️ Full sun (6+ h)
Min. pot
20 L · 30 cm
Water
Medium
Difficulty
Easy
Hardiness
Annual
Container fit
Excellent
Sow
Sow indoors from March, or outdoors March to June; transplant when seedlings have 5-6 leaves; compact varieties suit pots
Harvest
Ready from September onwards; picks through autumn, winter and spring
Good companions: Grown in rotation with other brassicas
Balcony tip: A pot 30cm wide and deep suits one mature plant; keep covered with insect-proof mesh against brassica pests
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Häufige Fragen
What size pot does Kale need?
Kale needs a container of at least 20 litres, roughly 30 cm deep. Bigger pots dry out more slowly and give better yields on a balcony.
How much sun does Kale need on a balcony?
Kale wants full sun — about 6+ hours of direct sun daily. Match it to your balcony's aspect before buying seed.
When do you sow Kale?
Sow indoors from March, or outdoors March to June; transplant when seedlings have 5-6 leaves; compact varieties suit pots. Timing shifts with your climate/USDA zone — the linked sources give the detail.
Sources & date
- RHS: Kale
- Old Farmer's Almanac: Kale
- Data as of: 2026-07-10
- Container sizes and timings are guidance — adjust to your climate/USDA zone and balcony aspect.