Tatsoi (Chinese Spinach)

50+ Seeds • Non-GMO

Tatsoi Seeds (Chinese Spinach)

Tatsoi (Brassica rapa var. narinosa), sometimes spelled tat soi, is a fast-growing Asian leafy green prized for its glossy dark green leaves, mild flavour, and exceptional cold tolerance. Often called Chinese spinach because of its versatility in the kitchen, tatsoi produces compact rosettes of spoon-shaped leaves that can be harvested young for salads or allowed to mature for stir-fries, soups, and cooked dishes.

Tatsoi greens are one of the easiest cool-season vegetables to grow. They mature quickly, tolerate frost better than many other leafy greens, and can often be harvested just a few weeks after planting. If you're looking for productive tatsoi seeds that deliver nutritious greens throughout spring and fall, this variety is an excellent choice.

For more leafy greens, browse our Lettuce, Spinach & Arugula Seeds Collection.

Scientific Profile

Feature	Details
Common Name	Tatsoi, Tat Soi, Chinese Spinach
Botanical Name	Brassica rapa var. narinosa
Plant Type	Annual leafy vegetable
Seed Count	50+ seeds
Days to Harvest	Approximately 20–45 days
Germination Time	4–8 days
Sowing Depth	¼ inch
Plant Spacing	4–6 inches apart
Mature Height	8–10 inches
Sun Requirements	Full sun
Best Season	Spring and fall
Best Use	Salads, stir-fries, soups, sautés

Tatsoi belongs to the brassica family alongside bok choy, cabbage, kale, and mustard greens. Like many leafy brassicas, tatsoi greens are naturally rich in vitamins A, C, and K while also providing antioxidants and dietary fibre.

What Does Tatsoi Look Like?

One of the most common questions gardeners ask is: what does tatsoi look like?

Tatsoi forms a beautiful low-growing rosette of dark green, spoon-shaped leaves attached to pale green stems. The leaves have a glossy appearance and often grow in a symmetrical circular pattern close to the ground. Mature plants resemble a flatter, darker version of bok choy and make an attractive addition to both vegetable gardens and ornamental edible beds.

What Does Tatsoi Taste Like?

Another popular question is: what does tatsoi taste like?

Tatsoi has a mild, slightly sweet flavour with subtle mustard notes. Most gardeners describe the taste as a cross between spinach, bok choy, and mild mustard greens. Young leaves are tender and excellent in fresh salads, while mature leaves develop a richer flavour that works beautifully in stir-fries and soups.

Compared to stronger mustard greens, tatsoi remains relatively mild, making it an easy introduction to Asian greens for home gardeners.

How to Grow Tatsoi From Seed

If you're wondering how to grow tatsoi, you'll be happy to know it is one of the easiest leafy greens to grow from seed.

Sow tatsoi seeds indoors about three weeks before your last frost date or direct sow outdoors once the risk of severe frost has passed. Because tatsoi prefers cool weather, succession planting every 2–3 weeks during spring and again in late summer can provide continuous harvests.

Plant seeds approximately ¼ inch deep and keep the soil consistently moist until germination. Seeds typically sprout within 4–8 days under favourable conditions.

Tatsoi performs best in fertile, moisture-retentive soil and appreciates steady watering during dry periods. It grows exceptionally well in raised beds, containers, and small-space gardens. For more compact vegetables, explore our Container Garden Compact Plants Collection.

How to Harvest Tatsoi Greens

Tatsoi greens can be harvested at almost any stage of growth.

For baby greens, begin harvesting leaves as early as 20 days after germination. For mature plants, allow the rosette to fully develop before harvesting.

The cut-and-come-again method works especially well with tatsoi. Simply harvest the outer leaves while leaving the centre intact. This allows the plant to continue producing fresh growth for several weeks.

Entire plants can also be harvested at ground level once they reach full size.

Tatsoi Growing Stages

Stage	What to Expect
Germination	Seeds sprout within 4–8 days
Seedling Stage	Small rounded leaves emerge quickly
Rosette Formation	Glossy spoon-shaped leaves begin forming
Baby Greens Stage	Harvest begins around 20 days after germination
Mature Plant Stage	Dense rosettes reach 8–10 inches tall
Bolting Stage	Plants flower as temperatures rise

Fertilizer for Tatsoi

Tatsoi is grown for its leafy growth and benefits from fertile soil rich in organic matter. Before planting, incorporate compost or well-aged organic material into the bed.

Consistent moisture and moderate fertility generally produce the best results. Over-fertilization is rarely necessary, especially in healthy garden soil. For more information, see our Organic Fertilizer Guide.

How to Cook Tatsoi

If you're wondering how to cook tatsoi, the good news is that it's incredibly versatile.

• Use young tatsoi greens fresh in salads.
• Add mature leaves to stir-fries.
• Sauté with garlic and olive oil.
• Add to soups and noodle dishes.
• Use as a spinach substitute in cooked recipes.
• Blend into green smoothies.

Because tatsoi cooks quickly and maintains a mild flavour, it works particularly well in Asian-inspired dishes alongside bok choy and spinach.

Quick Planting Instructions

• Start indoors 3 weeks before last frost or direct sow outdoors.
• Plant seeds ¼ inch deep.
• Space plants 4–6 inches apart.
• Grow in full sun.
• Keep soil consistently moist.
• Succession plant every 2–3 weeks.
• Harvest baby greens in as little as 20 days.
• Use cut-and-come-again harvesting for repeat production.

FAQs

What is tatsoi?

Tatsoi is a cool-season Asian leafy green belonging to the brassica family. It produces glossy spoon-shaped leaves with a mild flavour often compared to spinach and bok choy.

What does tatsoi look like?

Tatsoi forms a compact rosette of dark green, glossy, spoon-shaped leaves arranged in a circular pattern close to the ground.

What does tatsoi taste like?

Tatsoi has a mild, slightly sweet flavour with subtle mustard notes. Many gardeners compare it to a combination of spinach and bok choy.

How do you grow tatsoi?

Tatsoi is grown from seed in cool weather. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep, keep soil moist, and harvest leaves once they reach the desired size.

How do you cook tatsoi?

Tatsoi can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in stir-fries, soups, sautés, and other dishes where spinach or bok choy would normally be used.

Is tatsoi cold hardy?

Yes. Tatsoi is one of the most cold-tolerant leafy greens and often withstands light frosts better than lettuce and many other salad crops.

Related Products

Looking for more cool-season leafy greens? Pair Tatsoi with these popular garden favourites.

• Big Leaf Spinach Seeds - Vancouver Variety
• Arugula Seeds - Bellezia Organic
• Buttercrunch Lettuce Seeds