Top 20 Varieties of Collard Greens to Grow: Tips, Advice, and Facts

Collard greens are a nutritious, leafy vegetable that’s packed with vitamins A, C, and K, and fiber. With their slightly bitter flavor and tender texture when cooked, collard greens are a staple in Southern cuisine and can be used in a variety of dishes, from sautéing and braising to adding to soups and stews. Collard greens are a hardy crop, thriving in cooler weather and offering a long harvest season. Whether you’re looking for traditional broad-leaf varieties or more compact, bolt-resistant types, there are many options to suit your gardening needs. Here’s your guide to the top 20 collard green varieties to grow, with helpful tips, fascinating facts, and answers to common questions.

Top 20 Collard Green Varieties to Grow

1. Georgia Southern

Tips: Georgia Southern grows best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender.
Facts: This heirloom variety is known for its large, broad, blue-green leaves and heat tolerance. It matures in about 75 days and is perfect for braising, sautéing, or adding to soups.

2. Vates

Tips: Vates prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender and sweet.
Facts: This dwarf variety produces compact, dark green leaves with a mild flavor. It’s slow to bolt and matures in about 70 days, making it great for extended harvests.

3. Champion

Tips: Champion thrives in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently and mulch to retain moisture.
Facts: Known for its large, dark green leaves, Champion is a heat- and cold-tolerant variety that matures in about 60-75 days. It’s great for fresh eating, sautéing, or adding to stews.

4. Morris Heading

Tips: Morris Heading grows best in full sun and moist, fertile soil. Water consistently to ensure tender, sweet leaves.
Facts: This heirloom variety produces large, tender leaves with a cabbage-like flavor. It’s ideal for braising, sautéing, or using as a wrap for other ingredients.

5. Top Bunch

Tips: Top Bunch thrives in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves crisp and tender.
Facts: This hybrid variety is known for its fast growth and tender, flavorful leaves. It matures in about 55-60 days and is perfect for fresh eating or cooking.

6. Flash

Tips: Flash grows best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently and mulch to retain moisture.
Facts: This hybrid variety is known for its early maturity and high yield. It produces tender, smooth leaves that are great for sautéing, soups, or steaming.

7. Green Glaze

Tips: Green Glaze prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender and crisp.
Facts: This heirloom variety is prized for its glossy, dark green leaves that resist pests. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and matures in about 75 days.

8. Old-Timey Blue

Tips: Old-Timey Blue thrives in full sun and rich, moist soil. Water consistently to ensure tender, sweet leaves.
Facts: This heirloom variety produces large, blue-green leaves with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It matures in about 80 days and is great for fresh eating or cooking.

9. Tiger Hybrid

Tips: Tiger Hybrid grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender and sweet.
Facts: This hybrid variety produces dark green, smooth leaves with a mild flavor. It’s slow to bolt and matures in about 65-70 days.

10. Couve Tronchuda (Portuguese Kale)

Tips: Couve Tronchuda prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender.
Facts: Also known as Portuguese kale, this variety produces large, broad leaves with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It’s perfect for sautéing, soups, or stews.

11. Hi Crop

Tips: Hi Crop grows well in full sun and rich, moist soil. Water regularly and mulch to retain moisture.
Facts: This variety is known for its high yields and large, tender leaves. It matures in about 70 days and is great for braising or adding to soups.

12. Heirloom Georgia

Tips: Heirloom Georgia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and flavorful.
Facts: This heirloom variety produces large, blue-green leaves with a mild flavor. It’s perfect for sautéing, steaming, or adding to soups.

13. Lacinato Kale (Tuscan Kale)

Tips: Lacinato Kale grows best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender.
Facts: Also known as Tuscan kale or dinosaur kale, this variety produces dark green, crinkled leaves with a sweet, nutty flavor. It’s great for fresh salads, soups, or sautés.

14. Yellow Cabbage Collards

Tips: Yellow Cabbage Collards prefer full sun and rich, moist soil. Water regularly to ensure tender, flavorful leaves.
Facts: This rare heirloom variety produces yellow-green leaves with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It matures in about 75-80 days and is great for fresh eating or cooking.

15. Cascade Glaze

Tips: Cascade Glaze thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly and mulch to retain moisture.
Facts: This variety produces glossy, dark green leaves with a mild flavor and good pest resistance. It’s perfect for sautéing or adding to soups.

16. Blue Max

Tips: Blue Max grows well in full sun and rich, fertile soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and sweet.
Facts: This hybrid variety produces smooth, blue-green leaves with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It’s great for fresh eating or braising.

17. Butter Collards

Tips: Butter Collards prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure tender, sweet leaves.
Facts: This variety produces smooth, tender leaves with a buttery texture and mild flavor. It’s perfect for fresh eating or cooking.

18. Champion Blue Hybrid

Tips: Champion Blue Hybrid thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Water consistently and mulch to retain moisture.
Facts: This hybrid variety produces dark blue-green leaves with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 65-75 days and is perfect for braising or adding to soups.

19. Green Sprouts

Tips: Green Sprouts grows best in full sun and rich, moist soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender.
Facts: This variety is known for its tender, bright green leaves with a mild, sweet flavor. It’s great for fresh salads, steaming, or sautéing.

20. Southern Giant

Tips: Southern Giant prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure the leaves remain tender and sweet.
Facts: This variety produces large, dark green leaves with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It matures in about 70-75 days and is great for braising, sautéing, or steaming.

Common Questions About Growing Collard Greens

Q: When should I plant collard greens?
A: Collard greens are a cool-season crop and should be planted in early spring for summer harvests or in late summer for fall and winter harvests. They thrive in temperatures between 55-75°F (13-24°C).

Q: Can I grow collard greens in containers?
A: Yes, collard greens can be grown in containers as long as the pots are at least 12-18 inches deep and wide, with good drainage. Compact varieties like ‘Vates’ are especially suited for container gardening.

Q: How long do collard greens take to grow?
A: Collard greens typically take 60-85 days to mature, depending on the variety. Early-maturing varieties like ‘Top Bunch’ may be ready in as little as 55 days, while larger types like ‘Georgia Southern’ may take up to 85 days.

Q: How do I know when collard greens are ready to harvest?
A: Collard greens are ready to harvest when the leaves are large and tender, typically when they reach about 10-12 inches long. You can harvest the outer leaves as needed, allowing the plant to continue producing.

Q: How do I store harvested collard greens?
A: Freshly harvested collard greens can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. To keep them fresh longer, wrap the leaves in a damp paper towel and store them in a plastic bag.