ORDERS FOR DELIVERY THIS YEAR HAVE NOW CLOSED. THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FROM COB TUES 23 DECEMBER, RE-OPENING MONDAY 19 JANUARY, AND FIRST ORDERS FOR 2026 WILL GO OUT FROM MONDAY 26 JANUARY. WE WISH ALL OUR CUSTOMERS ALL THE BEST FOR BOTH THE FESTIVE AND THE GROWING SEASON. NGA MIHI O TE KIRIHIMETE ME TE TAU HOU:)
thousandhead-kale-kahikatea-farm
kale-thousandhead-kahikatea-farm

Certified Organic Plant

LEARN MORE ABOUT
HOW WE GROW YOUR PLANTS

LONG TERM OUT OF STOCK

SOLD OUT

OUT OF STOCK

AVAILABLE SPRING

AVAILABLE SUMMER

AVAILABLE AUTUMN

AVAILABLE WINTER

WINTER DORMANT

AVAILABLE SOON

Kale Thousandhead

Price range: $10.50 through $12.50

Brassica oleracea var napus

Thousandhead is a large, vigorous perennial kale with leaves that may grow up to 50cm or even a metre long and over 30cm wide and have been described as ‘elephant’s ears’! It is known as thousand headed due to its multi branching habit, which in turn means that it produces more leaves than other kales, and more sweet flower stalks (like broccolini). Despite the size, the leaves remain tender.

 

Cultivation

Very easy to grow, tolerant of poorer soil conditions than other brassicas, and is rarely troubled by pests and diseases.

Uses

This variety has long been grown in the UK and Norther Europe as a fodder crop to provide food for sheep and cattle through long harsh winters. Due to the lush wide spreading foliage it is also often used as a winter game cover for pheasants and partridge.

Medicinal Uses

History / Folklore / Further Info

Thousandhead is an heirloom crop, noted in “The Vegetable Garden” (published 1885 by French seed company Vilmorin), where it was described as an ancient, productive, multi-branching variety from the U.K.  that also went by the name “branching borecole.” Vilmorin also noted that the variety originally hailed from western France.  This may or may not be true, my research has found there are other types of more perennial kales from the Atlantic coasts of France, Spain and Portugal which also go by the same name but are genetically different.

Jo Says

 We used to grow this in the vege garden on the boundary with our pasture, and we once had plants growing for three years which even survived multiple ‘prunings’ by our cattle! These days we tend to grow it more in the food forest.

Shipping Advice

N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details. 

Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.

Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.

Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.

Full list of shipping rates HERE

Medical disclaimer

Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.

We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.

Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have. 

Related Products

Related Products

Search Products