Plant care
Kaletemperature & humidity
Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Ideal temperature for kale
Kale is happiest between 7-24°C (45-75°F). That is comfortably within normal household range, so the risk is rarely the average room temperature — it is the extremes: a leaf pressed against freezing winter glass, the hot dry updraft above a radiator, or the cold blast from an air-conditioning vent or a frequently-opened winter door. Below about 7°C growth stalls, and a cold snap a few degrees under that slows it into dormancy rather than killing it. Move kale away from those micro-hazards before worrying about the thermostat.
Cold tolerance & winter care
Kale is comparatively hardy (USDA 3-9, RHS H6). Within that range it tolerates a cold dormant spell outdoors; outside it, grow it in a container you can move under cover or overwinter in a cool but frost-free spot. Hardiness assumes an established plant in well-drained soil — a wet, cold root zone kills far more plants than cold air alone.
Humidity for kale
Kale sits happiest at around 40-70% (outdoor) relative humidity. Outdoor humidity rarely matters. The usual low-humidity tell is crisp brown leaf tips and edges while the soil moisture is fine — a sign the air, not the watering, is the problem. If you need to raise it, the reliable methods are grouping plants together, standing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (the pot above the waterline, never in it), or running a small humidifier in winter when indoor heating dries the air most. Misting is the least effective — it raises humidity for minutes, not hours.
Kale temperature & humidity — frequently asked questions
What temperature is best for kale?
Kale grows best between 7-24°C (45-75°F). Keep it out of cold draughts, off freezing windowsills in winter, and away from the hot dry air directly above radiators — the extremes matter far more than the average room temperature.
How cold can kale tolerate?
Kale starts to suffer below roughly 7°C. It tolerates a cold dormant period within USDA 3-9, but a wet cold root zone is more dangerous than cold air.
What humidity does kale need?
Kale prefers about 40-70% (outdoor) relative humidity. Outdoor humidity rarely matters.
How do I raise humidity for kale?
Group it with other plants, stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (kept above the waterline), or run a small humidifier in winter. Misting only helps for a few minutes, so it is the weakest option for a plant that genuinely needs more humidity.
Can kale live outside?
Kale is rated for USDA zone 3-9 and RHS hardiness H6. Within that range it can stay outdoors; outside it, grow it in a moveable container and protect the roots from a wet, cold winter.
More kale care
Temperature and humidity are one piece. See the full kale care guide, its cold-hardiness guide, and watering schedule — humidity and watering problems are easy to confuse.