How to grow Tatsoi
Updated October 2026
Tatsoi is an Asian green in the cabbage family that grows as a flat, glossy rosette of dark green, spoon-shaped leaves with a mild mustard flavor. It is quick, about 45 days from sowing, and one of the most cold-hardy Asian greens, so it shines in fall and winter gardens. It bolts as soon as the weather turns warm, so grow it in the cool seasons.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Tatsoi
Not to be confused with: Tatsoi is a close relative of bok choy and also of napa cabbage, but it grows as a flat rosette rather than an upright head.
Where to plant
Grow tatsoi in fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun during cool weather, or part shade once days warm. It keeps producing through chilly weather and can be harvested from under a light snow, but warm weather and long days make it bolt quickly.
Because it is quick and small, tatsoi suits fall succession sowings after summer crops come out, and it grows well under row cover or in a cold frame for winter greens.
- Florida and the Gulf South: sow from September through February. South Florida: October to January.
- Texas, the Desert Southwest and California: sow from fall through winter and in late winter to early spring.
- Mid-South, Mid-Atlantic and Southern Plains: sow in late winter to early spring and again from mid-August; July heat stops germination and makes young plants bolt.
- Northeast, Midwest, Mountain West, Northern Plains and the Pacific Northwest: sow in early spring and again in late summer for fall and early winter harvests.
- Hawaii: sow in the cooler months. Alaska: sow from May to July.
How to plant
- Work compost into the bed before sowing.
- Sow seed directly about 1/4 inch deep, or start transplants 3 to 4 weeks ahead.
- Thin or plant 8 to 10 inches apart for full rosettes, or leave about 3 inches between plants for baby leaves.
- Cover with floating row cover to keep flea beetles and cabbage worms off, and for extra cold protection in winter.
- Sow small batches every few weeks for a steady supply.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist. Dry soil makes leaves tough and pushes plants to bolt.
A light side-dressing of a nitrogen fertilizer or liquid feed helps if growth is slow or pale.
Harvesting
Pick individual outer leaves as needed, or cut the whole rosette at the base once it is full, about 45 days after sowing. Baby leaves can be cut much sooner. Harvest promptly once warm weather arrives, as bolting makes the leaves strong and tough. Store in a damp towel in the fridge for a few days.
Growing in pots
Tatsoi grows well in a pot or trough at least 8 inches wide in a cool, sunny spot. Several baby-leaf plants fit in a window box.
Using it
Eat young leaves raw in salads, or add whole leaves to stir-fries, soups, noodles and dumplings at the last minute. The flavor is milder than mustard greens.
Companion planting
Tatsoi is small and quick, and fits between slower cool-season crops.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Tatsoi shares the pests of the cabbage family. Flea beetles are the main problem on young plants.
Pests to watch for
- Flea beetles Many tiny round holes in young leaves, worst in warm spring weather.
- Cabbage worms Green caterpillars and ragged holes in the leaves.
- Aphids Gray clusters deep in the rosette and under leaves.
- Slugs and snails Holes in leaves and slime trails in damp weather.
Diseases to watch for
- Downy mildew Yellow patches on top of leaves with gray fuzz underneath in cool, damp weather.
Common questions
When should I plant tatsoi?
In cool weather: early spring and late summer to fall in the North, and fall through winter in Florida, the Gulf Coast and the Southwest. Choose your region at the top of the page for the months.
How cold hardy is tatsoi?
Very hardy for a leafy green. Most sources put it at around 15°F, and some say lower, and it can be picked from under a light snow. Row cover extends the harvest further.
Why is my tatsoi bolting?
Warm weather and long days. Sow it so it matures in cool weather, keep it watered, and harvest promptly as temperatures rise.
How do I harvest tatsoi?
Pick outer leaves as needed, or cut the whole rosette at the base when it is full, about 45 days after sowing. Baby leaves are ready in about three weeks.
What does tatsoi taste like?
Mild, slightly mustardy and a little sweet, milder than mustard greens. It is good raw or quickly cooked.
Sources we checked: Penn State Extension Master Gardeners, Allegheny County: Fall vegetables with succession planting; Fairfax County Master Gardeners (Virginia Cooperative Extension): Extend your growing season with Asian greens; University of Delaware Cooperative Extension: Greens (new farmer program); Epic Gardening: How to plant, grow and care for tatsoi.
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