Brassica rapa 'Tokyo Bekana'
Tokyo Bekana Asian Greens
Central Asia (B. rapa; Tokyo Bekana Japanese loose-heading Chinese cabbage; mildest brassica; lettuce-like; more heat-tolerant than napa; fastest)Overview
Brassica rapa 'Tokyo Bekana' is an annual leafy green reaching 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) tall with a spread of 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) and a loose, upright, vase-shaped rosette habit. A Japanese loose-heading Chinese cabbage type, it produces ruffled, light yellow-green, spoon-shaped leaves 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long with thick, juicy, white midribs—resembling a loose, frilly lettuce. Mild, sweet, almost lettuce-like flavor—among the mildest brassica greens. Days to maturity 35-45 from direct sow (baby greens at 21 days). Growth rate is very fast. More heat-tolerant than most Asian greens—slower to bolt than standard napa cabbage. Does not form a tight head. The light yellow-green color and ruffled texture add visual contrast in salads.
Native Range
Brassica rapa (chinensis/pekinensis group) originated in Central Asia. 'Tokyo Bekana' is a Japanese cultivar of loose-heading Chinese cabbage.Suggested Uses
Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—salads (raw), stir-fry, soups, wraps. Mildest brassica green—lettuce-like. Ruffled yellow-green. Fastest Asian green 35-45 days (baby 21). More heat-tolerant than napa. Succession sow. Visual salad contrast. Not suitable where strong brassica flavor is desired or for long storage.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'
Width/Spread8" - 1'
Bloom Information
Yellow four-petaled flowers when bolting. More bolt-resistant than most Asian greens but still bolts in sustained heat. Succession sow.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Yellow; four-petaled; bolting onlyFoliage Description
Light yellow-green; ruffled spoon-shaped 6-8 inches; thick white midribs; loose rosetteGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Direct sow spring through fall—succession sow every 2-3 weeks. Moist, fertile soil (pH 6.0-7.0). Fast growing—baby greens at 21 days. Days to maturity 35-45 for full-size. More heat-tolerant than most Asian greens. Part shade in summer extends harvest. Cut-and-come-again or harvest entire rosette.Pruning
Harvest outer leaves for cut-and-come-again or cut entire rosette at base. No pruning needed.Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons