Purple Tatsoi

Family: Brassicaceae Leafy Green

Sink into the velvety, jewel-toned rosettes of Purple Tatsoi—deep purple stems and leaves that hold their color with a tender, succulent bite.

The foliage forms a low, spoon-shaped canopy with a smooth, lightly glossy surface and a delicate, mildly peppery sweetness that shines in Asian-inspired dishes and quick sautés, or as a vibrant fresh salad green. Grow it for fast, reliable harvests around 45 days, and enjoy a striking purple accent that turns everyday greens into a garden centerpiece.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Rosette

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 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Part 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

Purple Tatsoi’s tender, spoony leaves wilt quickly but don’t collapse into slime, so it behaves beautifully in short-heat soy-sesame cooking. Its mild peppery sweetness and jewel-toned stems make a better finishing green than tougher brassicas—add it late so it stays glossy and bright.

Best Uses

quick skillet sauté with a splash of soy and sesame oil—fast wilt, no mush
fresh chopped salad with a light vinaigrette to keep the spoon-shaped leaves snappy
steamed or blistered as a low, tender side for pork, duck, or roasted tofu
fold into rice bowls or noodle soups near the end for bright color and a short cooking time

Flavor Profile

mild, peppery bite tender, succulent leaf texture slightly sweet, nutty-green finish pretty purple stems that stay glossy and crisp

Kitchen Pairings

soy sauce sesame oil ginger rice vinegar chile crisp soft tofu

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly troubles Brassica rapa var. narinosa (purple tatsoi), and how can I control it?

Watch for flea beetles and cabbage loopers on purple tatsoi leaves; they chew small holes and ragged edges, especially in warm, dry weather. Cover seedlings with a fine row cover immediately after sowing, and remove the cover only briefly for harvesting; for outbreaks, spray with spinosad (follow label rates) and hand-pick any caterpillars you see. If leaves develop yellowing with fuzzy growth on the underside, treat promptly by improving airflow and avoiding overhead watering to reduce downy mildew conditions.

How often should I water purple tatsoi during the main growing phase?

During the ~45-day growth period, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, aiming for evenly damp topsoil down to about 1–2 inches. In part-sun gardens, water when the surface starts to dry, typically every 2–4 days in mild weather and more often during hot spells. Water at the soil line to prevent leaf wetness, which encourages brassica leaf diseases.

How do I tell when purple tatsoi is ready to harvest?

Harvest when rosettes form and leaves are tender, usually around 40–50 days after sowing. Cut outer leaves first for ongoing picking, or harvest the whole rosette when it’s firm and full-size but before leaves become tough or overly bitter. If hot weather triggers bolting (flower stalks), harvest remaining leaves immediately for best quality.