Chrysanthemum Greens Seeds – Shungiku Tong Ho Tan O Cai Cuc

Grow a classic Asian leafy vegetable at home with Chrysanthemum Greens Seeds, also known as Shungiku, Tong Ho, Tan O, Tần Ô, Cải Cúc, Garland Chrysanthemum, or Edible Chrysanthemum. This popular cool-season green is prized for its tender leaves, fresh herbal aroma, and slightly tangy chrysanthemum flavor.

Chrysanthemum greens are widely used in Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cooking. The young leaves are tender and mild, while mature leaves develop a stronger, more distinctive herbal flavor. This variety is excellent for hot pot, soups, stir-fries, noodle dishes, salads, and fresh garden harvests.

Basic Product Information

Common Name: Chrysanthemum Greens, Garland Chrysanthemum, Edible Chrysanthemum

Other Names: Shungiku, Tong Ho, Tan O, Tần Ô, Cải Cúc

Latin Name: Glebionis coronaria

Also Known As: Chrysanthemum coronarium

Plant Type: Annual leafy vegetable / edible herb

Plant Use: Leaves, tender stems, young greens

Leaf Color: Green

Flavor: Fresh, herbal, tangy, slightly chrysanthemum-like

Growth Habit: Upright leafy growth

Best Season: Cool spring and fall weather

Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade

Soil Preference: Fertile, well-drained soil with steady moisture

Watering Needs: Moderate, consistent moisture

Best Uses: Hot pot, soups, stir-fries, salads, noodles, Asian cooking, and home gardens

Why Grow Chrysanthemum Greens?

Chrysanthemum Greens are a beautiful and flavorful cool-season crop for gardeners who love Asian vegetables. The leaves bring a unique herbal taste that is different from common lettuce, spinach, or mustard greens. They cook quickly, pair well with savory broths, and add fresh color and aroma to many dishes.

This crop is especially popular for hot pot and soups because the tender leaves soften quickly while keeping their distinct fragrance. It is also a useful garden green for quick harvests, small spaces, raised beds, and container growing.

Growing Information

Sowing Depth: About 1/4 inch deep

Germination Time: Usually 7–14 days under good conditions

Plant Spacing: 6–12 inches apart

Row Spacing: 12–18 inches apart

Soil Type: Fertile, compost-rich, well-drained soil

Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, but not soggy

Light: Full sun in cool weather; partial shade can help during warmer weather

Harvest Stage: Pick young leaves and tender stems when plants are large enough to use

How to Grow

Sow seeds directly outdoors in cool spring or fall weather, or start indoors and transplant when seedlings are strong enough. Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep in fertile, well-drained soil.

Keep the seedbed evenly moist during germination. Once seedlings are established, thin or transplant plants to allow proper airflow and leaf development.

Chrysanthemum greens grow best in cooler temperatures. In warm weather, the flavor may become stronger and plants may bolt faster. For a longer harvest season, sow small batches every 1–2 weeks during cool weather.

Harvest

Harvest young leaves and tender stems when plants are about 4–8 inches tall for the mildest flavor. You can pick outer leaves as needed or harvest the whole plant when mature.

Young greens are more tender and delicate, while older leaves have a stronger herbal flavor. For best eating quality, harvest before plants become too mature or begin flowering heavily.

Kitchen Uses

Chrysanthemum greens are excellent for:

Hot pot
Clear soups
Noodle soups
Stir-fries
Fresh salads
Asian-style broths
Steamed greens
Vietnamese home cooking
Chinese vegetable dishes
Japanese shungiku recipes
Korean soups and side dishes

Garden Tips for Best Results

Grow during cool spring or fall weather.

Keep soil evenly moist for tender leaves.

Use compost-rich soil for strong leafy growth.

Harvest young for the mildest flavor.

Provide partial shade during warmer weather.

Sow small batches every 1–2 weeks for continuous harvest.

Grow in garden beds, raised beds, or containers.

Avoid heat stress when possible, as warm conditions may increase bitterness and bolting.

Important Growing Note

This listing is for seeds only, not live plants. Germination and growing results may vary depending on temperature, moisture, seed depth, soil quality, light, airflow, and local growing conditions.

Mai’s Family LLC – Love Plants, Love Earth.