When to plant Tatsoi in Subtropical Australia
Subtropical zone — applies to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Tropical · Arid.
Sow tatsoi direct from March to May, then again in August and September, dropping seed straight into a moist, cool bed. It is one of the fastest greens you can grow, germinating in just 4–7 days and ready to harvest in 45–60 days. Sow 5 mm deep and thin to 20–25 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart, or cut younger for baby-leaf salad. This little Asian green thrives in the mild subtropical cool season, giving Brisbane and Sunshine Coast gardeners quick, glossy rosettes through autumn, winter and the tail of the year.
Sowing calendar — subtropical zone
Green months are your sowing window: March to May and August to September.
Growing notes
Tatsoi is a cool-season brassica that rewards fast, steady growth. The autumn and late-winter sowings suit the subtropics best, avoiding the heat and wet that push this green to bolt straight to seed. Sown into warm weather, plants run to flower before they form a decent rosette.
Bolting is the key failure mode here. Keep growth quick and unchecked with even watering and a nitrogen-rich feed, and harvest promptly rather than leaving plants standing as the weather warms. If you see the centre stretching upward and flower buds forming, pick the whole plant immediately, as the leaves turn bitter once it bolts.
As a brassica, tatsoi attracts cabbage moth, whose caterpillars can shred the tender leaves overnight. Exclusion netting laid over the bed is the simplest and most effective defence, keeping moths off entirely. Slugs and snails also love the low rosettes in wet weather, so bait or hand-pick after rain around Coffs Harbour and Lismore. Give plants morning sun and good drainage, and successive small sowings every few weeks will keep salad greens coming right through the cooler months.
Tatsoi at a glance
| Sowing depth | 5 mm |
|---|---|
| Plant spacing | 20-25 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Germination | 4-7 days |
| Days to maturity | 45-60 days |
| Frost tolerance | Hardy |
| Method | Sow Direct,Raise Seedlings |
Common questions
- How fast does tatsoi grow?
- Very fast. Seed germinates in 4–7 days and plants are ready to harvest in 45–60 days, or sooner as baby leaves. This speed makes it ideal for successive sowings through the subtropical cool season for a steady supply.
- Why is my tatsoi bolting to seed?
- Warm weather and stress make tatsoi run to flower quickly. Sow in the cooler months from March to May or August to September, keep water even, and harvest promptly. Once it bolts the leaves turn bitter, so pick the plant as soon as buds appear.
- Does tatsoi get eaten by caterpillars?
- Yes, as a brassica it is a target for cabbage moth caterpillars, which can strip leaves fast. Fine exclusion netting over the bed is the cleanest defence. Check the undersides of leaves regularly if you are not using netting.
- Can I grow tatsoi in winter in Brisbane?
- Yes, the mild subtropical winter is prime tatsoi season. Sow from March through May and again in late winter for glossy, quick-growing rosettes. Watch for slugs and snails on the low leaves after rain.
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