Red Russian Kale Microgreen Seeds

Red Russian kale is a fast-growing brassica microgreen with fresh green leaves and attractive pink to purple stems. It requires no pre-soaking and is generally ready to harvest in approximately 8–12 days.

For the general tray-growing process, see the OzSprout How to Grow Microgreens at Home guide.

What You Need

• Red Russian Kale Microgreen Seeds
• A shallow tray with drainage holes
• A solid lower tray for bottom watering
• Coco coir, fine seed-raising mix or another suitable microgreen growing medium
• Clean drinking-quality water
• Fine mist sprayer
• A second tray or suitable blackout cover
• Bright natural light or suitable grow lights
• Clean scissors or a sharp harvesting knife

Seed Rate

For a standard 25 × 50cm microgreen tray, use approximately:

28g dry seed per tray

Spread the seed evenly across the growing surface.

Aim for dense, consistent coverage without creating thick piles or heavily overlapping areas. Even distribution helps improve airflow and produces a more uniform canopy.

Pre-Soak

No pre-soaking required.

Red Russian kale is a small brassica seed and can be sown dry directly onto the prepared growing medium.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Clean your equipment. Wash and thoroughly rinse trays, covers and growing tools.
2. Prepare the growing medium. Add approximately 2–3cm of coco coir, fine seed-raising mix or another suitable growing medium.
3. Moisten the medium. Water evenly and allow excess water to drain. The medium should be consistently damp without being saturated.
4. Measure the seed. Use approximately 28g for a standard 25 × 50cm tray.
5. Sow evenly. Broadcast the seed across the growing surface and break up any heavily seeded patches.
6. Press gently. Ensure good contact between the seed and growing medium.
7. Mist lightly. Use clean drinking-quality water to moisten the seed without flooding it.
8. Cover the tray. Place a second tray or suitable blackout cover over the crop.
9. Check daily. Maintain even moisture without keeping the growing medium saturated.
10. Move into light. Remove the cover once the seedlings have established and are beginning to push upward.
11. Provide airflow. Maintain good air movement around the crop as the canopy develops.
12. Bottom water once established. As the roots develop, switch primarily to watering from below.

Blackout

Keep the tray covered for approximately:

1–2 days

Red Russian kale germinates quickly and does not require a long blackout period.

A light upper tray can help maintain good seed-to-medium contact, but heavy weighting is unnecessary.

For more information about this stage, see Microgreen Blackout Explained.

Uncover once the seedlings are established rather than leaving rapidly growing shoots in darkness for longer than necessary.

Germination

Expect germination in approximately:

2–3 days

Red Russian kale is usually a fast and relatively even germinator under suitable conditions.

Maintain steady moisture without flooding or saturating the growing medium.

Temperature

Aim for approximately:

18–24°C

Moderate indoor temperatures support reliable germination and compact growth.

Avoid excessive heat combined with high humidity, particularly once the canopy becomes dense.

Light

Once the blackout period is complete:

• provide bright indirect natural light or suitable grow lights;
• rotate the tray if required for even growth;
• avoid excessive heat; and
• maintain good airflow.

Good light encourages:

• fresh green cotyledons;
• compact growth;
• stronger pink-purple stem colour; and
• a more even canopy.

Watering

During early germination, mist gently when necessary to maintain surface moisture.

Once roots are established, bottom watering is preferable.

For detailed guidance, see How to Water Microgreens: Misting vs Bottom Watering.

When bottom watering:

• add a shallow amount of water to the lower tray;
• allow the growing medium to absorb the moisture;
• check the medium before adding more water;
• avoid permanent standing water;
• minimise repeated wetting of established leaves; and
• maintain good airflow.

Water according to the condition of the growing medium rather than following a fixed daily schedule.

Tips for Best Results

• Use approximately 28g per 25 × 50cm tray.
• Do not pre-soak.
• Sow evenly.
• Maintain good seed-to-medium contact.
• Use a short 1–2 day blackout.
• Expect germination in approximately 2–3 days.
• Maintain approximately 18–24°C.
• Provide bright light after blackout.
• Maintain good airflow.
• Bottom water once roots establish.
• Avoid saturated growing media.
• Harvest while the crop remains tender.

Colour Development

Red Russian kale develops its strongest visual contrast under good light.

The crop typically produces:

• fresh green cotyledons;
• pink to purple stems; and
• increasingly characteristic kale foliage as true leaves begin to appear.

Poor light can produce paler, more elongated seedlings.

If you want another kale microgreen with a different appearance and flavour profile, see Tuscan Kale Microgreen Seeds.

Root Hairs vs Mould

Fine white root hairs can sometimes be mistaken for mould.

Healthy root hairs generally:

• appear directly around individual roots;
• have a relatively even fuzzy appearance;
• become more visible when the root zone dries slightly; and
• become less noticeable after watering.

Mould is more likely to:

• spread irregularly between seeds;
• form web-like patches;
• remain visible after watering; or
• occur with slime, seed deterioration or unpleasant odours.

If you are uncertain, see Mould vs Root Hairs on Sprouts & Microgreens.

Discard crops showing obvious spoilage.

Harvest & Storage

Harvest approximately:

8–12 days from sowing

Red Russian kale microgreens are generally ready when:

• cotyledons are fully open;
• foliage is fresh green;
• stems have developed pink to purple colouring;
• shoots are upright and tender;
• the crop is approximately 5–8cm tall; and
• the first true leaves are just beginning to emerge if a slightly larger crop is preferred.

Cut cleanly just above the growing medium using clean scissors or a sharp harvesting knife.

Where practical, harvest when the foliage is relatively dry.

For more detailed harvesting and storage guidance, see How to Harvest & Store Microgreens.

Refrigerate promptly in a clean container. If washed before refrigeration, drain and dry thoroughly first.

Growing as Baby Kale

For baby kale:

1. Sow substantially less densely than for microgreens.
2. Allow additional space around each plant.
3. Continue growing beyond the microgreen stage.
4. Maintain consistent moisture.
5. Provide strong light.
6. Harvest tender leaves at your preferred size.

Growing to Full Maturity

Red Russian kale can also be grown as a mature leafy vegetable.

For mature plants:

1. Sow individually or raise seedlings in trays.
2. Transplant established seedlings into garden beds or containers.
3. Provide a sunny position.
4. Use fertile, well-drained soil.
5. Space plants substantially wider than microgreens.
6. Maintain consistent moisture during active growth.
7. Harvest individual outer leaves as required.

Clean Growing / Food Safety

Use clean trays, fresh growing medium, drinking-quality water and clean harvesting equipment.

Maintain:

• good drainage;
• adequate airflow;
• appropriate moisture;
• clean harvesting tools; and
• prompt refrigeration after harvest.

Discard any crop showing visible mould, slime, decay, abnormal discolouration or an unpleasant smell.

Seed Storage

Store unused seed sealed in a cool, dry and dark place away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight.

For longer-term storage, refrigeration can help maintain seed viability. Keep refrigerated seed sealed while it returns to room temperature before opening to reduce condensation.