Komatsuna 'Purple'

Family: Brassicaceae Leafy Green

Velvety leaves unfurl in a rich, wine-purple cloak with tender, crisp ribs—an elegant bite that stays sweet and pleasantly mild.

Komatsuna ‘Purple’ forms a compact, upright rosette in about 40 days, delivering a lush harvest of leaves that are as beautiful as they are flavorful. Ideal for stir-fries, quick sautéing, and fresh salads, it also shines in silky sauces and bright, tangy pickles where its color remains vivid.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Komatsuna 'Purple'

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	40
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Komatsuna ‘Purple’ eats like a tender, sweet-edged green—its ribs hold crunch even with fast heat, so it won’t collapse into mush. Use it hot and glossy with sesame/soy or go quick with a pickle brine: the leaves stay vivid while the flavor stays clean and lightly peppery.

Best Uses

quick sauté or stir-fry where the ribs stay snappy
flash-blanched and dressed while hot so the leaves turn silky
silky sauce base (blend with stock and finish with fat)
bright, tangy pickles to keep color vivid

Flavor Profile

mild, sweet brassica bite tender-crisp, velvety leaves pleasantly peppery green finish low-bitter, clean aftertaste

Kitchen Pairings

garlic sesame oil ginger soy sauce lemon yuzu

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Eruca vesicaria (komatsuna/purple arugula), and how do I manage it?

Watch for cabbage white butterfly caterpillars and flea beetles, which chew irregular holes in komatsuna leaves. Hand-pick caterpillars early and use row cover immediately after sowing to block egg-laying; for flea beetles, keep weeds down and lightly dust with diatomaceous earth or use a floating row cover until plants are well established. If you see yellowing with blackened leaf edges or wet-looking spots, improve airflow and avoid wetting foliage when watering—Brassicaceae can quickly develop leaf spot in humid conditions.

How often should I water komatsuna (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa) during the main growing phase?

During active leaf growth, keep the top 1 inch of soil evenly moist—typically watering every 2–3 days in warm weather, less often if your soil stays cool. Aim for thorough, direct-to-soil watering so plants don’t wilt, but don’t let the bed stay soggy, which can promote leaf diseases. Mulch lightly (e.g., 1 inch) to stabilize moisture and reduce temperature swings that trigger bitterness and faster bolting.

How can I tell when my komatsuna 'Purple' is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 35–40 days when leaves are tender and reach roughly 4–6 inches long. Pick outer leaves first to encourage continued growth, or harvest the whole rosette when it’s compact and the leaves are still soft. If leaves become very tough or plants start sending up flower stalks, they’re past prime for best texture and flavor.