Usually available: April to November

Life cycle: Annual
Height: 30cm
Position: Sun / part shade
Soil preference: Well drained

This is how we pack and send your Herb Plants to all states except TAS & WA

You will receive
- 1 Asian Greens - Tatsoi Purple Herb Plant in a 50 X 75mm tube - General growing instructions

All of our Herb Plants are grown organically with certified organic potting mixes and fertilizers

Botanical Name: Brassica narinosa

Tatsoi Purple is a biennial, leafy vegetable that has oval shaped, purple leaves with green undertones and green stems. The leaves are spoon shaped and quite wide compared to the slender green stems. It reaches 30cm in height and 25 cm wide, but has a habit of growing in a rosette like clump. In cold weather the rosette is flatter and in warm weather the leaves stand more upright. The smaller leaves grow in the centre of the clump. It has yellow flowers with 4 petals.

Tatsoi is native to China, but is used for culinary purposes in Japan. It has been cultivated for so long that it is considered to be an Ancient Green. This plant is sometimes confused with Bok Choy, but is not as upright in its growth pattern. Occasionally Tatsoi is called Rosette Bok Choy. It has been given the botanical name Brassica rapa ssp. narinosa and belongs to the Narinosa Group of leafy green vegetables. It may also be recorded as Brassica rapa ssp. Rosularis.

Growing Conditions

Tatsoi Purple is similar to other leafy greens, from China and Japan, in having a preference to part shade to full sun positions. It requires only 3-5 hours of sunlight per day, so warm regions of Australia may need to consider providing part shade for protection. Ideal conditions would be warm days and cool nights, but Tatsoi does well across Australia. Cold temperatures to 10 degrees Celsius are tolerated and it can be harvested from under snow. It prefers fertile nitrogen rich soil and germinates quickly once seed is sown. Seed can be sown every 2 weeks in Australia to ensure a year round supply of vegetables, but the cool season will generate best results. Although Tatsoi is more tolerant than many other greens, extreme heat gives an increased chance of flowering and bolting to seed. Generally, this is a fast growing and hardy vegetable that will also do well in containers.

Culinary Uses

Tatsoi Purple is considered to be a versatile vegetable, with an ability to be a substitute for spinach in most recipes. When cooked, Tatsoi Purple has an earthy and spinach like taste. As a fresh vegetable it has a sweet, buttery or mustard-like taste, with a tender texture. It can be used with any other leafy green vegetable, so this allows it to be used fresh or cooked. It does well in salads, with fruit, goes well with mint dishes and works well with spicy recipes. It is often used with meat and fish dishes.

All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Please seek professional advice before commencing any treatment.