Cold-Hardy Beauty:
Caring for Ornamental Kale, Chard, and Cabbage in Your Fall Planters
As cooler weather settles into the Asheville area, many summer planters start to fade but that doesn’t mean your porch or patio has to lose its charm. Our GardenHaus Fall installs utilize a lot of Ornamental kale, chard, and cabbages which are cold-loving stars that thrive well into late fall (and even winter!). These hardy ornamentals add color, texture, and structure to your planters when most blooms are long gone.
Here’s how to keep them looking their best all season long.
1. Planting and Light Needs
Kale, chard, and ornamental cabbage prefer cool temperatures and plenty of sunlight. We only use these cool weather stars in planters that receive at least 4–6 hours of direct light each day. These plants are remarkably tolerant of chilly nights in fact, their colors often intensify after the first frost!
If your porch or entryway is shaded, you can rotate your planters every week or so to help each side get even light exposure and maintain a balanced, full look.
2. Watering Tips
Cooler weather means your planters won’t dry out as quickly, but consistent moisture is still key for healthy roots.
Check soil moisture once or twice a week. Stick your finger into the soil about an inch deep — if it feels dry, it’s time to water.
Water deeply but infrequently. It’s better to soak the soil thoroughly and let it drain than to water lightly every day.
Avoid soggy soil. Hardy ornamentals don’t like “wet feet,” so make sure your containers have good drainage.
Water roots not Foliage. Especially with Ornimental Cabbages you MUST lift up their beautiful leaves and water the base soil around the plant rather than just letting the water run off the leaves from top watering.
At GardenHaus, we use all-natural, healthy soil blends that promotes strong roots while keeping moisture balanced through temperature swings.
3. Removing Spent Foliage
As the season progresses, you’ll notice a few outer leaves yellowing or wilting that’s completely normal! To keep your planters looking fresh and help your plants conserve energy:
Trim off any yellow or damaged leaves at the base using clean sissors.
Remove faded or floppy outer foliage to prevent rot and allow airflow around the plant.
Don’t cut into the center of kale or cabbage heads — that’s where new growth emerges.
Regular grooming not only keeps your containers neat, but it also encourages stronger, more vibrant growth throughout the season.
5. Low-Maintenance, High-Impact Planters
One of the best parts about ornamental kale, chard, and cabbage is how little attention they need once planted. With proper watering, a little trimming, and good sunlight, these plants will continue to shine well into winter even after light frosts.
At GardenHaus, we design custom seasonal planters built to thrive in Asheville’s mountain climate until it’s time for Winter installs (starting the week after Thanksgiving). Each of our fall installs are planted with premium, cold-hardy ornamentals and maintained with natural soil and sustainable care so your home looks beautiful year-round, without the effort.