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Vegetable

Tatsoi

Brassica rapa subsp. narinosa · also Rosette bok choy, Spoon mustard

A low rosette of dark, spoon-shaped leaves with a mild flavour, used like baby spinach. In Adelaide, sow from late summer to autumn and again in late winter; it bolts quickly in hot weather. It is quick, cold hardy and suits pots.

When to plant where you live

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Planting times for other areas

Varieties (2)

  • Tatsoi (standard)Flat rosette of glossy dark green leaves; sold by most Australian seed companies
  • Yukina SavoyUpright tatsoi type with blistered leaves; a little more heat tolerant

Neighbours

Grows well with

Keep away from

From seed to plate

  1. Plant

    20 cm apart, seed 5 mm deep. Full sun or part shade.

  2. Water

    Keep moist.

  3. Feed

    Liquid feed fortnightly.

  4. Pick, from about 6 weeks

    Pick outer leaves or cut whole.

Good to know

  • Pick baby leaves from about 3 weeks, or leave to form a full rosette
  • Mulch to keep moisture even; dry spells make it run to seed
  • Sow a short row every few weeks rather than one big planting

Common problems

  • Bolting in heat or dry spellssow in cooler months and water regularly
  • Cabbage white caterpillarscover with fine insect mesh, hand pick; use a Bt-based registered product following label directions if needed
  • Rot in wet, crowded plantingsthin plants and clear away debris

If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.

Ask the garden helper about tatsoiAny question, answered from the plant libraryHow others are growing tatsoiQuestions, tips and harvests from the community
Where this information comes from
  • ABC Gardening Australia: Going Green (Asian greens) (growing, medium confidence, checked 29 Oct 2026)
  • ABC Gardening Australia plant finder: Pak Bok, Tatsoi, Bok Choy (growing, low confidence)
  • Sustainable Gardening Australia: monthly planting guides (sowing window, low confidence)

Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 29 Oct 2026. Version 1.