The Best 20 Varieties of Tat Soi to Grow: Tips, Facts, and Information
Tat soi is a fast-growing Asian leafy green prized for its spoon-shaped leaves, mild mustard flavour, and excellent cold tolerance. Closely related to pak choi, tat soi forms low-growing rosettes that are ideal for salads, stir-fries, steaming, and soups. It is one of the best crops for extending the growing season, performing well in spring, autumn, and even winter under protection.
Tat soi is compact, productive, and quick to harvest, making it suitable for raised beds, containers, allotments, and polytunnels. With the right variety choice, you can enjoy tender leaves in as little as 30–45 days from sowing.
This guide covers the best 20 varieties of tat soi to grow, along with practical tips, useful facts, and growing information to help you get consistent, high-quality harvests.
⭐ Recommended Products for Growing Tat Soi Successfully
Tat soi thrives with steady moisture, good spacing, and protection from pests and extreme weather. These products help improve growth, leaf quality, and harvest reliability.
• Raised Beds or Deep Trough Planters
Tat soi prefers fertile, moisture-retentive but free-draining soil. Raised beds and trough planters improve drainage, make spacing easier, and reduce slug pressure.
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• Fine Seed Compost or Vegetable Compost
A fine-textured compost supports even germination and rapid early growth. Nutrient-rich compost helps produce lush, tender leaves.
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• Insect Mesh or Fleece Covers
Essential for protecting young plants from flea beetles and cabbage pests, and for extending the growing season in cooler weather.
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What Is Tat Soi?
Tat soi (Brassica rapa subsp. narinosa) is a leafy brassica grown for its smooth, dark green leaves and thick, pale stems. It forms a flat or slightly domed rosette and is known for its tolerance of cool temperatures and light frost.
- Flavour: Mild, slightly mustardy
- Texture: Tender leaves, juicy stems
- Harvest time: 30–60 days
- Uses: Salads, stir-fries, steaming, soups
Tat soi can be harvested as baby leaves or left to form full rosettes.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Tat Soi
- Soil: Fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained
- Position: Full sun to partial shade
- Sowing time: March–May and August–September
- Spacing: 20–30cm between plants
- Harvesting: Cut-and-come-again or whole rosettes
Consistent watering is key to preventing bitterness and bolting.
The Best 20 Varieties of Tat Soi to Grow
1. Green Tat Soi
The standard and most widely grown type.
- Dark green leaves
- Compact rosette
- Reliable flavour
Excellent all-round variety.
2. Black Summer Tat Soi
Known for its deep leaf colour.
- Almost black-green leaves
- Strong cold tolerance
- Attractive appearance
Great for autumn and winter crops.
3. Tah Tsai
Traditional Asian variety.
- Smooth, rounded leaves
- Mild flavour
- Fast-growing
Ideal for baby leaf harvests.
4. Tatsoi Rosette
Uniform, low-growing type.
- Neat rosettes
- Tender texture
- Even growth
Perfect for raised beds.
5. Vitamin Green Tat Soi
Selected for nutritional value.
- Lush growth
- High leaf density
- Mild taste
Excellent for salads.
6. Green Fortune Tat Soi
Improved modern variety.
- Bolt-resistant
- Reliable yields
- Good heat tolerance
Suitable for spring sowing.
7. Baby Tat Soi
Harvested young.
- Small leaves
- Quick cropping
- Soft texture
Ideal for microgreens and baby salads.
8. Dark Leaf Tat Soi
Strong pigmentation.
- Rich green leaves
- Cold-hardy
- Robust growth
Performs well in winter.
9. Tat Soi Emerald
Attractive, glossy foliage.
- Shiny leaves
- Uniform size
- Mild flavour
Good for presentation.
10. Tat Soi Mini
Compact-growing selection.
- Space-saving
- Fast harvest
- Dense rosettes
Great for containers.
11. Asian Greens Tat Soi
Versatile mixed-use type.
⭐ Recommended Products — Garden & Allotment Essentials for March
March is when the growing season truly begins. Seeds are being sown daily, beds are prepared and late frosts are still possible — these essentials help produce strong plants and a successful start.
Seed Trays, Modules & Propagation Kits — perfect for tomatoes, brassicas, lettuce, onions and flowers. 👉
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Heated Propagators, Heat Mats & Grow Lights — improves germination and prevents leggy seedlings during cold nights. 👉
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Seed & Cutting Compost — essential for healthy seedlings and strong root growth. 👉
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Garden Fleece & Plant Protection Covers — protects seedlings, potatoes and early plantings from late frost. 👉
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Spring Vegetable Seeds — carrots, beetroot, peas, spinach and salads can all be started now. 👉
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Garden Kneeler & Seat — makes long sowing and planting sessions far more comfortable. 👉
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Pressure Washer (Greenhouse & Patio Cleaning) — clean patios, paths and greenhouses before planting. 👉
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Solar Garden Lights — perfect for enjoying the garden during brighter spring evenings. 👉
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- Balanced flavour
- Reliable growth
- Multi-cut harvesting
Good for frequent picking.
12. Winter Tat Soi
Cold-focused variety.
- Frost tolerant
- Slow bolting
- Steady winter growth
Ideal for protected growing.
13. Tat Soi Giant
Larger-leaf variety.
- Bigger leaves
- Juicy stems
- Strong growth
Best for cooking.
14. Green Spoon Tat Soi
Classic spoon-shaped leaves.
- Traditional appearance
- Tender texture
- Consistent flavour
Excellent culinary choice.
15. Tat Soi Compact
Neat, uniform plants.
- Tight growth habit
- Space efficient
- Easy to harvest
Ideal for small gardens.
16. Tat Soi Select
Improved garden selection.
- Even germination
- Strong regrowth
- Good disease resistance
Reliable for home growers.
17. Oriental Tat Soi
Traditional Asian strain.
- Strong flavour
- Hardy growth
- Good cold tolerance
Excellent for stir-fries.
18. Tat Soi Green Jewel
Highly decorative variety.
- Glossy leaves
- Compact rosettes
- Mild taste
Great for ornamental veg beds.
19. Fast Grow Tat Soi
Bred for speed.
- Quick maturity
- Early harvest
- Soft leaves
Perfect for succession sowing.
20. Heritage Tat Soi
Open-pollinated traditional type.
- Strong resilience
- Classic flavour
- Reliable performance
Ideal for seed savers.
Common Problems When Growing Tat Soi
- Bolting: Caused by heat or drought stress
- Flea beetle damage: Protect seedlings early
- Yellowing leaves: Low nutrients or poor drainage
- Slow growth: Cold soil without protection
Regular watering and protection prevent most issues.
Harvesting and Storage Tips
- Harvest outer leaves regularly
- Cut whole plants at the base if needed
- Best eaten fresh
- Stores for several days in the fridge
Frequent harvesting encourages continued growth.
Nutritional Benefits of Tat Soi
- High in vitamins A, C, and K
- Rich in calcium and iron
- Low in calories
- High antioxidant content
A highly nutritious leafy green.
Final Thoughts
Tat soi is an excellent crop for gardeners who want fast results, compact plants, and reliable harvests across multiple seasons. Its cold tolerance, mild flavour, and versatility in the kitchen make it one of the best Asian greens to grow at home.
Whether you prefer baby leaves for salads or mature rosettes for cooking, tat soi delivers consistent quality with minimal effort, making it a valuable addition to any vegetable garden.