Yellow Flowered Shungiku

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Sunlit and tender, Yellow Flowered Shungiku unfurls into a soft, aromatic green with a bright, floral lift that feels almost honeyed at first touch.

The leaves are pleasantly crisp and finely textured, with a gentle bite that shines in quick stir-ins and delicate simmered dishes, while the yellow blossoms add a vivid, garden-fresh note to salads and garnishes. Grow for a steady harvest around day 50—an elegant edible chrysanthemum that brings both flavor and color to the bed.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Yellow Flowered Shungiku

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 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 7th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This edible chrysanthemum leans hard into aroma—its floral, almost honeyed character shows up fastest when cooked briefly, so treat it like a quick-wilt green rather than a long simmer. The blossoms are there to brighten the last second: scatter them over noodles, rice, or anything glossy with sesame or miso.

Best Uses

quick stir-fry or hot oil sauté—keeps leaves crisp and fragrant
short simmered side dish (wilt fast, don’t overcook)
shaved or torn into salads for a floral crunch
blossoms as a vivid garnish for noodle bowls and rice dishes

Flavor Profile

bright floral lift lightly honeyed, aromatic green bite crisp-tender leaves with a gentle peppery edge juicy yellow blossoms with a fresh, garden-fresh fragrance

Kitchen Pairings

soy sauce sesame oil ginger lemon miso chicken or pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases commonly affect Glebionis coronaria (yellow flowered shungiku), and how do I treat them?

Aster-family greens like shungiku commonly suffer from aphids, which cluster on tender new growth and cause leaf distortion. Spray affected plants with a strong jet of water, then repeat with insecticidal soap (follow label) if aphids persist; also remove badly infested tips to reduce buildup. Watch for powdery mildew in humid spells—improve airflow by spacing plants and water at soil level; remove heavily spotted leaves early to slow spread.

How often should I water Glebionis coronaria during active growth?

During the main leafy growth phase, keep the top 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) of soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for even moisture rather than letting it dry out completely. In typical home-garden conditions, this often means watering about 1–2 times per week, increasing frequency during hot, windy weather; check moisture by feel before watering.

How can I tell when yellow flowered shungiku is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants are about 40–50 days from sowing and have formed plenty of tender leaves, with stems still flexible rather than woody. You can start taking outer leaves earlier for “cut-and-come-again,” but avoid stripping the plant heavily; repeated light harvests keep it producing. If you want the flowers, harvest heads when the yellow florets are fully open but before they start to brown.