How to Grow Kale in Containers on Your Balcony

A few years ago, I was convinced you needed a sprawling backyard and a pair of overalls to grow your own veggies.

Turns out, that’s total nonsense.

You can absolutely grow beautiful, leafy kale on your small apartment balcony — no overalls required (though I won’t stop you if that’s your thing).

I live in a small apartment with a balcony just big enough for a chair, a sad-looking plant, and my unrealistic dreams of a vegetable jungle. But one day, I figured, why not give container vegetable gardening a shot?

Spoiler: it worked.

And now I'm here to pass along what I’ve learned about growing kale from seeds in containers, in hopes you’ll get hooked too.

Why Kale?

First off, kale is a champ. It’s ridiculously tough, thrives in containers, and doesn't need fancy soil or constant babysitting.

Plus, it’s a nutritional powerhouse.

According to the USDA Food Data, one cup of chopped kale has more vitamin C (95.5 mg) than an orange (58 mg). I’m not saying you should give up citrus, but kale deserves some balcony real estate.

What You’ll Need

Good news: no complicated gardening gadgets here. To get started, you’ll need:

• A decent-sized container — at least 8 inches deep. Kale likes room for its roots.
• Potting mix, not garden soil — it drains better and keeps the roots happy.
• Kale seeds — I’ve had luck with Brassica oleracea var. acephala, curly, and Lacinato (aka dinosaur kale) varieties.
• A watering can or a cup you won’t mind using.
• A spot with 4-6 hours of sun — most small apartment balconies can swing that, especially if you move the pot around a bit.

Seeds vs. Nursery-Grown Seedlings

You’ve basically got two options when it comes to starting your kale: growing kale from seeds or buying young plants from a nursery.

I’m team seeds because they’re cheaper, fun to grow, and you get way more plants for your money. Plus, watching seeds sprout is bizarrely satisfying.

That said, if you’re impatient or nervous about the seedling stage, grabbing a few healthy, nursery-grown seedlings is totally fine. They give you a head start, and you can usually harvest a bit sooner.

Either way works great for container vegetable gardening on the balcony.

How to Grow Kale from Seeds

Alright, now for the fun part. Here’s what worked for me:

1. Fill your container with potting mix, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
2. Sprinkle in your kale seeds, about a half-inch apart. Don’t stress over perfection — kale’s forgiving.
3. Lightly cover the seeds with a bit more potting mix, then gently water until the soil is moist but not swampy.
4. Place the container on your balcony where it’ll catch morning or afternoon sun.

In about a week, you should see tiny green sprouts. It’s weirdly thrilling. I may have texted three people the first time mine popped up.

Thinning the Seedlings

Okay, this part’s important and a little tough if you're like me and hate getting rid of plants. Once your kale sprouts are about 2 inches tall, you’ll need to thin them out.

That means pulling out the extra ones so there’s about 6-8 inches of space between each plant.

It feels harsh, but trust me — overcrowded plants fight for water, nutrients, and light, and none of them end up thriving. Think of it as giving your strongest little guys a fair shot at turning into big, leafy beauties.

Watering: The Balancing Act

Watering might sound basic, but it makes or breaks container gardens. On a small apartment balcony, your containers dry out way faster than an in-ground garden. I check mine daily by sticking a finger into the soil.

If the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.

Kale likes consistent moisture, but it hates soggy, waterlogged roots. Aim for a Goldilocks situation — not too dry, not too wet. On hot days, you might need to water every day. On cooler, overcast ones, every other day usually does the trick.

Watch Out for Pests and Diseases

Even on a balcony, pests somehow find their way to your plants. The big three I’ve dealt with are:

Leaf miners

Little pests that leave squiggly trails inside the leaves. I just snip off any affected leaves and toss them.

Aphids

Tiny green, black, or white bugs that cluster on new growth. A quick blast of water usually knocks them off.

Talking of aphids, I've written an excellent article on how to get rid of aphids naturally. You may want to check it out.

Powdery mildew

A white, dusty coating on leaves, especially if air circulation is poor. Avoid overhead watering and give your plants some breathing room.

If things get bad, a mix of water and a drop of dish soap in a spray bottle can help. Organic neem oil spray is also a solid option for both pests and mildew.

Harvesting Your Kale

Once your kale leaves are about the size of your palm, you can start harvesting.

Always pick the outer leaves first and leave the center ones to keep growing. This way, your plant keeps producing new leaves, and you get a steady supply of greens for weeks (sometimes months).

I usually grab a few leaves every few days for salads, soups, or to sneak into smoothies. If you’ve never had kale chips straight from a plant you grew yourself, you’re in for a treat.

A Few Pro Tips: How to Care for Your Kale

• Use a lightweight potting mix made for container vegetable gardening. It drains well and won’t turn into concrete after a rain.
• If your balcony gets too windy, consider placing your container near a wall or using a taller plant or chair as a windbreak.
• Don’t over-fertilize. I learned this the hard way when my kale went from “cute and leafy” to “hulking monster with bitter leaves.” Once a month with an organic liquid fertilizer is plenty.
• Rotate your pot now and then if your sun exposure is uneven. Kale is like that friend who gets grumpy if they sit in the same spot for too long.

Why Container Vegetable Gardening Is Awesome

Besides the whole “I grew this with my own hands” feeling, growing vegetables on your balcony saves a surprising amount of money over time.

A packet of seeds costs a few bucks, and one container can give you fresh greens for months.

And if you’re like me, stuck in an apartment with no yard, container vegetable gardening scratches that itch to grow something without needing a lawn or a raised bed.

It’s oddly meditative, too.

There’s something about watching those little leaves unfurl while you sip your morning coffee that just feels good.

If it helps, here’s a list of other vegetables that are easy to grow for beginners.

Conclusion

If you’ve been flirting with the idea of growing your own food but felt like your small apartment balcony wasn’t up to the task, I’m here to tell you it totally is. Kale’s an easy, forgiving, and genuinely useful place to start.

Give it a shot.

Worst-case scenario: you spent a few bucks, got some fresh air, and learned a little about plants. Best case? You’ll be snipping your own fresh leafy greens in a few weeks and feeling smug every time you pass the overpriced kale at the grocery store.

And hey — if you try it, let me know how it goes.