'Komatsuna' Asian Green - Brassica rapa var. perviridis

'Komatsuna' Asian Green – fast-growing rarity with sweet-nutty flavor. 

This variety is a fast-growing Asian vegetable with long, oval leaves and a sweet-nutty, aromatic flavor. It matures early, is relatively frost-tolerant, and is ideally suited for greenhouse, protected outdoor cultivation, and pot culture. Robust, high-yielding, and open-pollinated – perfect for self-sufficiency and organic farming.

  Origin & History

‘Komatsuna’ - open-pollinated Japanese mustard spinach from Japan, traditionally cultivated in the Komatsugawa region of Tokyo, from which the name “Komatsuna” (“vegetable from Komatsu”) is derived. Since the Edo period (17th–19th century), the variety has been a staple of Japanese cuisine and is still commercially grown today, including in Taiwan. The variety belongs to the Brassicaceae family and is closely related to other Asian leafy vegetables such as Mizuna (Brassica rapa var. japonica) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis).

Thanks to its adaptability and rapid growth, it became an important vegetable for self-sufficiency and year-round cultivation. In Europe, 'Komatsuna' is increasingly popular among gardeners who value open-pollinated, easy-to-grow, and high-yielding varieties. Today it is maintained, preserved, and offered by organic seed initiatives and conservation organizations as part of varietal diversity.

  Appearance & Characteristics

The plant grows upright and reaches a height of about 60 cm. It produces numerous leaves and bears vigorous, dark green foliage. Frost-tolerant down to approx. -5 °C.

Leaf details:

• Size: Large, approx. 20-30 cm long

• Shape: Elongated-oval

• Color: Dark green with delicate leaf veins

• Texture: Soft, juicy, and tender

• Flavor: Sweet-mild and nutty with spinach and cabbage aroma, subtle mustard note

 Usage & Cultivation Highlights

The leaves are excellent for fresh use in salads, cooking, frying, and as stir-fried vegetables. Their sweet-mild, nutty flavor makes them a true delight in vegetable dishes and adds a special culinary touch to meals.

Thanks to its rapid growth and resilience, the variety thrives reliably in greenhouses, protected outdoor cultivation, and especially in pots. It matures early, is high-yielding, and impresses with its versatile use. In addition, it is easy to care for, shows good adaptability to different locations, and delivers stable yields even under changing weather conditions. Harvesting can be done regularly over a long period into winter, making the plant not only a culinary but also a practical enrichment in the garden.

Compared to other Asian salads, ‘Komatsuna’ is particularly sweet-mild in flavor with a nutty and subtle mustard note – ideal for people who appreciate open-pollinated leafy vegetables with traditional background and easy cultivation.