Red Tatsoi Mustard is a cool-season Asian green that transforms as it matures, revealing deep reddish-purple foliage that makes it as stunning on the plate as it is in the garden. This non-GMO Brassica Rapa cultivar grows to 18-24 inches tall and reaches full harvest size in just 40-49 days, making it one of the quickest greens you can grow. Hardy from zones 2 to 10, it thrives in full sun and adapts to both microgreen production and full-sized leaf harvesting, giving you flexibility in how you use it.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Preferred Temp55-75°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
—
Width
6 in
Spacing
40–49
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual, Biennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-10
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual, Biennial
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Red Tatsoi transitions from green cotyledons to deep reddish-purple by day 4 when grown as a microgreen, creating a visually arresting crop ready in just 7-10 days. The speed is remarkable: whether you're harvesting tender microgreens or waiting for full-sized leaves, this variety delivers results fast. Its dual nature as both a quick microgreen crop and a substantial cool-season green makes it unusually adaptable for small and large gardens alike.
Common Uses
Red Tatsoi works beautifully as a microgreen, where its color-shifting leaves add visual interest and a delicate texture to salads, grain bowls, and plated dishes. At full size, the tender leaves function as a cool-season Asian green for sautéing, braising, or adding raw to salads and wraps.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Spring
First Harvest
30 Days After Sowing
Last Harvest
Late Spring For Spring Planting; Early Winter For Fall Planting
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start Red Tatsoi indoors in warm, well-draining soil. Seeds germinate quickly and can be transplanted outdoors once established.
Transplant Outdoors
Harden off seedlings gradually before moving them to the garden. Space transplants 6 inches apart in full sun. The soil should be well-draining.
Harvesting
For microgreens, harvest when the cotyledons open and change to reddish-purple, typically around day 7-10 after sowing. At full size, begin harvesting outer leaves once the plant reaches usable size around 40-49 days, or cut the entire plant at the base. The color deepening to reddish-purple is your visual cue that the microgreens are at peak harvest readiness.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Brassica rapa L.
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Brassica
Duration
Annual, Biennial
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)CAN (I)GL (I)