Tatsoi

Tatsoi (Brassica rapa var. rosularis)

Tatsoi is a cold-hardy Asian green forming low-growing rosettes of glossy, dark green leaves with a tender, spoon-shaped form. Its flavor is mild, slightly mustardy, and exceptionally smooth—perfect for fresh salads, quick sautés, and winter harvests. This is one of the most dependable greens for extending the growing season into late fall and even early winter.

Key Characteristics

• Cold-hardy, season-extending green
  Tatsoi thrives in cool temperatures and can tolerate light frosts, which actually improve its flavor and sweetness. It’s an excellent choice for late fall harvests, low tunnels, or overwintering in milder climates.
• Tender texture with mild mustard flavor
  Leaves are soft and succulent with a gentle brassica bite, making them ideal for fresh eating without the sharpness of stronger mustards. Harvest young for salads or allow to mature for heartier cooking greens.
• Cut-and-come-again productivity
  Tatsoi can be harvested leaf-by-leaf or cut whole and allowed to regrow, providing multiple harvests from a single planting. Its fast growth makes it ideal for succession planting in market gardens and home beds.
• Compact growth for intensive planting
  The low, spreading rosettes make tatsoi well-suited for dense plantings in raised beds, cold frames, or interplanting among slower-growing crops. It fits easily into small spaces and diversified vegetable systems.

Product Details

• Native Range: Cultivated variety (East Asia origin)
• Plant Life Cycle: Annual
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Medium, medium-wet (fertile, well-drained)
• Mature Height: 6–10 inches
• Bloom Time: Typically not applicable (harvested before flowering)
• Bloom Color: Yellow (if bolting)
• USDA Hardiness Zones: Grown as an annual in zones 2–11

Tatsoi is one of the easiest and most rewarding greens for cool-season growing. For best results, plant in succession, keep soil consistently moist, and take advantage of its cold tolerance to harvest long after other greens have faded.