Asian | Tatsoi - Chinese Cabbage

Grow compact, spoon-shaped rosettes of Tatsoi (also widely known as Tah Tsai, Rosette Bok Choy, or Broadbeak Mustard) right in your home garden. This cherished Asian heirloom green is celebrated for its striking circular rosettes of glossy, deep green leaves, succulent stems, and exceptionally mild, buttery flavor with a subtle mustard note.

Extremely cold-tolerant and fast-growing, Tatsoi thrives under cool weather conditions, withstanding temperatures as low as -10°C (15°F). Its neat, low-growing habit makes it a perfect choice for dense garden rows, raised beds, winter cold frames, and container gardening across Canada, supplying tender baby greens in just 20–25 days or full rosettes in 40–50 days.

Why Grow Tatsoi (Tah Tsai)?

• Classic heirloom producing stunning, compact rosettes of spoon-shaped, glossy dark green leaves
• Mild, tender, and buttery flavor profile—delicious raw in salads or lightly cooked in stir-fries
• Ultra-fast maturity—harvest baby leaves in 20 days or whole mature rosettes in 45 days
• Exceptional frost and cold hardiness, making it ideal for late fall and winter extension crops
• High-yielding cut-and-come-again habit allows continuous leaf harvesting
• Approximately 40–50 days to maturity (20 days for baby greens)
• Grows best in full sun to partial shade
• Open-pollinated heirloom variety
• Approximately 50-60 seeds per packet

How to Grow Tatsoi from Seed

Direct sow tatsoi seeds outdoors in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, or sow in mid-to-late summer for a robust autumn and early winter harvest.

Sow seeds approximately 6 mm (1/4 inch) deep and 2.5 cm (1 inch) apart in rows spaced 30 cm (12 inches) apart. Thin emerging seedlings to 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) apart for baby greens, or 20–25 cm (8–10 inches) apart for full rosettes.

Choose a location receiving full sun to partial shade with fertile, moist, and well-draining soil enriched with compost. Keep soil consistently moist to maintain lush growth and prevent premature bolting.

Harvest individual outer leaves as needed for continuous baby leaf growth, or slice the entire rosette at ground level once fully formed.

Growing Tatsoi in Canada

Tatsoi is exceptionally well-suited to Canadian climates, thriving in the cool spring and crisp fall conditions across all growing zones. Its legendary frost tolerance allows Canadian gardeners to extend their fresh harvest window well past hard autumn frosts.

Succession sowing every 2 weeks from early spring through late summer ensures a continuous supply of fresh, nutrient-rich Asian greens throughout the growing season.

For detailed instructions covering seed starting, spacing, watering, fertilizing, harvesting, and pest management, read our How To Grow Tatsoi in Canada | Complete Guide. 

Tatsoi (Tah Tsai) Growing Information

Feature	Detail
Botanical Name	Brassica rapa subsp. narinosa 'Tatsoi'
Common Name	Tatsoi / Tah Tsai / Rosette Bok Choy
Plant Type	Annual cool-season Asian green crop
Sun Requirements	Full sun to partial shade
Days to Maturity	Approximately 20 days (baby) / 45 days (full rosette)
Seed Count	Approximately 50-60 seeds
Pollination Type	Open-pollinated heirloom variety
Best Uses	Fresh salad mixes, baby greens, stir-fries, soups, noodle bowls, and steaming

Grow Your Own Tatsoi (Tah Tsai)

There is nothing quite like harvesting tender, spoon-shaped leaves of tatsoi fresh from your cool autumn or spring garden bed. With its unmatched cold hardiness, rapid maturity, and mild, buttery flavor, Tatsoi is a deeply satisfying and essential addition to your Canadian vegetable garden.

Sow your seeds this season and enjoy a fast, healthy harvest of gourmet Asian greens!