Name: 'Komatsuna' Asian Green - Brassica rapa var. perviridis
Brand: Benjis Seeds
Price: 3.0 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

'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.

Cultivation_Overview_-_Anbau_im_Uberblick_-_Visao_geral_do_cultivo_-_www

Origin & Cultivation at a Glance

First mention:

17th century

Origin:

Japan

Breeder:

Traditionally developed through regional selections

Propagation site:

Alentejo - Portugal

Suitable for:

Open field, Greenhouse, Polytunnel, Cold frame, Balcony / pot, Urban gardening, Raised bed, Vertical cultivation, Plant towers or tiered systems

Care requirements:

Low – easy to care for, ideal for beginners.

Overwintering:

Semi-hardy - tolerates short periods of light frost down to about -5 °C outdoors.

Special features:

Quickly usable, Fast-growing, High-yielding, Low-maintenance, Sun-loving / sunny

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Cultivation guide for

<tc>Komatsuna</tc>

Growing difficulty:

Easy

• In subtropical climates, sow from September or February in sunny or semi-shaded spots - pre-culture possible from August or January.
• Sow in temperate regions from April in sunny to semi‑shaded locations – pre‑cultivation from March is possible, planting out frost‑free from mid‑April.
• Sowing in well-drained, humus-rich and nutrient-rich loamy soil - 0.5-1 cm deep. Plant spacing: 30 × 50 cm.
• For baby leaf, sow densely with row spacing of 15-20 cm.

Cultivation tips:

• Direct sowing is recommended - young plants grow quickly and vigorously.
• Thin out early so the plants have enough space.
• Planting only at mild day and night temperatures - avoid heat.
• Water regularly - consistent moisture promotes tender leaves and mild flavor.
• Keep evenly moist - drought stress leads to bolting.
• Removing flowers extends leaf usage.
• Biochar and rock dust improve soil structure and enhance the retention of nutrients and water.

Storage instructions:

Store seeds in a cool, dry, dark, and airtight environment to maximize shelf life and germination.

Detailed information on seed storage

Plant Profile

Plant details

Botanical name:

<tc>Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis (L.H. Bailey) ‘Komatsuna’</tc>

Botanical family:

Brassicaceae

Plant type:

Leafy vegetables

Growth habit:

Upright growth, Forms a rosette

Plant width:

35 cm

Plant height:

60 cm

Root type:

Shallow to moderately rooted

Hardy to:

-5 °C temporarily possible.

Cultivation period:

4-5 months

Life cycle:

Biennial (grown as an annual)

Propagation method:

Generative propagation by seed

Propagation:

• This variety belongs to the species Brassica rapa and is cross-pollinated by insect pollination.
• For seed production, a minimum isolation distance of 800–1000 m from other varieties of the same species is recommended, as cross-pollination is easily possible.
• The plant is biennial - after flowering it produces long pods with well-maturing small seeds.
• Seeds are ready for harvest once the pods are fully dried and slightly opened.

Sowing & Planting

Germination type:

Dark germinator, Temperate germinator

Sowing depth:

0,5-1 cm

Germination temperature:

15-20 °C

Germination time:

5-10 days

Pot culture:

Requires a minimum container size of 3 liters.

Row spacing for baby leaf:

15-20 cm

Plant spacing:

30 cm

Row spacing:

50 cm

Pricking out / thinning out:

Thin out within 2-3 weeks after the first true leaf pairs have formed.

Planting time:

Transplanted seedlings can be planted outdoors about 3 weeks after pricking out. Only once the soil is frost-free.

Soil

Soil type:

Well-drained, humus-rich loam soil

Soil pH:

6.0-7.5 – slightly acidic to alkaline

Nutrient requirements:

Medium feeder

Soil moisture:

Evenly moist, Moderately moist, Sensitive to waterlogging

Soil preparation:

Loosen soil before sowing, Apply compost before planting., Apply lime to acidic soil., Prepare soil weed-free and with a fine crumb structure., Mulch layer for moisture regulation

Companion planting, Crop rotation & Harvest

Companion plants:

Lettuce, Lamb’s lettuce, Bean, Pea, Lupin, Carrot, Beetroot, Onion crops, Dill, Coriander, Mint

Incompatible plants:

Spinach, Chard, Brassicas, Tomato, Pepper / Chili pepper, Pumpkin, Corn, Celery, Potato

Crop rotation guidelines:

• Do not plant after other crucifers - at least 3 years interval recommended.
• Repeated cultivation at the same site increases disease pressure, leads to nutrient depletion, and impairs soil structure.
• Ideal previous crops include legumes, onions, root vegetables, and green manure – rotating crops supports healthy soil.
• Crop rotation with low-nutrient-demanding plants is recommended to prevent soil fatigue and maintain healthy growing conditions.
• Avoid planting directly after heavy-feeding crops – allow the soil to recover and replenish nutrients first.

Harvest time:

Autumn, Spring

Sowing to harvest:

0,7-1 months

Harvested parts:

Leaves, Stems

Suitable for consumption:

Yes - edible raw or cooked.

Intended use:

Diet cuisine, Low Carb, Culinary herb, Raw consumption, Salad, Steaming, Cooking, Roasting, Pickling, Fermentation, Freezing, Drying / Dehydrating, Companion perennial, Natural garden

Care & Cultivation practices

Water requirements:

Moderate

Plant care techniques:

Thin out after germination when sown directly, Water regularly - even during dry periods, Loosen and hoe, Maintain weed-free, Remove blooms, Inspect regularly for pest infestation

Plant protection:

Well-ventilated location and good drainage recommended., Slug protection recommended, Check early for aphids., Mulching recommended

Cultivation notes:

May develop mildew in damp weather – an airy location is recommended. Susceptible to slugs and snails Can be infested by aphids - occasional monitoring recommended. Sensitive to waterlogging – use well-drained soil.

Other names

EN - English names:

• Asian green

DE - German names:

• Asiasalat

PT - Portuguese names:

• Verdura asiática

ES - Spanish names:

• Verdura asiática

FR - French names:

• Salade asiatique

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'Komatsuna' Asian Green - Brassica rapa var. perviridis

Harvest year:

Seed viability:

Description

Cultivation & Characteristics

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

Origin & History

Appearance & Characteristics

Usage & Cultivation Highlights

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.

Origin & Cultivation at a Glance

First mention:

Origin:

Breeder:

Propagation site:

Suitable for:

Care requirements:

Overwintering:

Special features:

Cultivation guide for

Growing difficulty:

Cultivation tips:

Storage instructions:

Plant Profile

Plant details

Botanical name:

Botanical family:

Plant type:

Growth habit:

Plant width:

Plant height:

Root type:

Hardy to:

Cultivation period:

Life cycle:

Propagation method:

Propagation:

Sowing & Planting

Germination type:

Sowing depth:

Germination temperature:

Germination time:

Pot culture:

Row spacing for baby leaf:

Plant spacing:

Row spacing:

Pricking out / thinning out:

Planting time:

Soil

Soil type:

Soil pH:

Nutrient requirements:

Soil moisture:

Soil preparation:

Companion planting, Crop rotation & Harvest

Companion plants:

Incompatible plants:

Crop rotation guidelines:

Harvest time:

Sowing to harvest:

Harvested parts:

Suitable for consumption:

Intended use:

Care & Cultivation practices

Water requirements:

Plant care techniques:

Plant protection:

Cultivation notes:

Other names

EN - English names:

DE - German names:

PT - Portuguese names:

ES - Spanish names:

FR - French names:

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