VegetableCabbage
Matsushima No. 2 Chinese Cabbage
Matsushima No. 2 is a Michihili-type Chinese cabbage that brings striking visual contrast to the garden and kitchen. Its lime green outer leaves conceal a hidden yellow center, creating an unexpectedly beautiful head that matures in 80 to 89 days. Hardy from zones 2 to 10, this compact cultivar reaches just 12 to 18 inches tall, making it manageable in most garden spaces. The crisp, fresh texture makes it shine in summer salads, delivering both color and that satisfying cabbage bite.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained Loam, Tolerates Poor Soils
Growth Stats
18 in
Height
Spacing
18
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-10
Size
18in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
Matsushima No. 2 stands apart for its distinctive two-toned appearance, with emerald outer leaves that peel back to reveal a golden yellow interior. As a Michihili-type, it takes longer to mature than some cabbage varieties, but the wait rewards you with a more complex, deeply formed head. The compact size and exceptional crispness make it equally at home in a market garden or a home vegetable plot where space matters.
Common Uses
Matsushima No. 2 shines in fresh applications where its crisp texture and bright color take center stage. The source catalog specifically recommends adding it to summer salads, where the lime green outer leaves and golden center create visual appeal alongside clean, refreshing flavor. The compact heading habit and manageable size make it convenient for home kitchens, though its excellent texture also suits quick stir fries and light cooking applications where the cabbage retains its structure.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Harvesting
Harvest Matsushima No. 2 when heads feel firm and fully formed, typically around 80 to 89 days after planting. The heads will reach 12 to 18 inches tall at maturity; cut them at the base with a sharp knife when they reach full size. You can begin harvesting outer leaves earlier if desired for salads, but wait until the head is solidly packed for the best eating quality and that striking yellow center to fully develop.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Brassica rapa var. Pekinensis 'Matsushima No.2'
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Brassica
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)CAN (I)GL (I)
History & Origin
“Matsushima No. 2 is an heirloom variety, part of the Matsushima cabbage lineage that developed in Japan. The strain's naming convention suggests it was one of several numbered selections within the Matsushima family of cultivars, refined over generations to achieve consistent heading and reliable performance. Its journey to Western gardeners reflects the broader post-war exchange of Japanese vegetables into American and European seed catalogs, where it remains valued for its distinctive appearance and reliable cropping.”