Mature Tokyo Bekana at harvest stage displaying characteristic light green, exceptionally tender leaves with white midribs in loose rosette form, growing in container garden with Asian greens companions

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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)

Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 2–9

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

Distinguished from napa cabbage by the loose, open (versus tight, barrel-shaped) head and the more heat-tolerant, bolt-resistant character. Distinguished from bok choy by the light yellow-green (versus dark green/white) coloring and the ruffled (versus smooth) leaves. Tokyo Bekana—loose ruffled yellow-green, mildest brassica, lettuce-like, more heat-tolerant than napa, fastest Asian green.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'

Width/Spread8" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

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 only

Foliage Description

Light yellow-green; ruffled spoon-shaped 6-8 inches; thick white midribs; loose rosette

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

35-45 days (baby greens 21 days)

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.