Brassica rapa

Brassica rapa — the versatile species behind European turnips and the oriental greens (pak choi, Chinese cabbage, mizuna), each domesticated separately. Central to our Asian greens and turnip ranges.

Best selling Best selling
  • €4,95

    Hon Tsai Tai with distinctive purple stems hon tsai tai seeds produce an annual Asian greens vegetable known for its vivid purple stems and fresh green leaves. This variety is closely associated with choy sum...

  • €4,95

    Red tatsoi with striking purple red leaves red tatsoi seeds produce a compact, rosette-form leafy vegetable with distinctive purple-red foliage and a bold, mustard-like taste. Often described as a pak choi type greens selection, this...

  • €4,95

    Leafy vegetable with crisp pale green ribs chinese cabbage seeds produce a leafy cabbage vegetable with broad, light green leaves and distinctive white ribs. This Pe Tsai type is valued for its clean look in...

  • Nasiona rzepy kiełkującej Sessantina (Brassica rapa) – roczne nasiona kiełkujące Rzepa kiełkująca Sessantina (Brassica rapa) – roczne nasiona kiełkujące od SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,96€4,95

    Włoska liściowa roślina kapustna dla delikatnych zielonych pędów Nasiona rzepy liściowej 'Sessantina' to jednoroczne warzywo dla ogrodników miłujących tradycyjne włoskie warzywa kapustne. Ta odmiana, znana również jako rapini oraz cima di rapa sessantina, uprawiana jest...

  • €5,95

    Ekologiczne nasiona rzepy liściowej Namenia – delikatne liście do kuchni Nasiona rzepy liściowej Namenia to ekologiczny, jednoroczny warzywo liściowy z rodziny kapustowatych, przeznaczony dla ogrodników ceniących subtelne, delikatne liście. Odmiana ta znana jest z delikatnej...

  • €4,95

    Świeże liście mizuny do wszechstronnego użytku w kuchni Nasiona mizuny dają bujne, jednolite warzywo liściowe cenione za charakterystyczne, karbowane ulistnienie. Ta odmiana azjatycznych warzyw liściowych znana jest z ciemnozielonych liści z wyraźnym białym obrzeżem, co...

  • €4,95

    Komatsuna seeds for versatile leafy harvests komatsuna seeds produce a fast growing leafy green valued for tender leaves and a mild mustard-like flavour. Often described as mustard spinach seeds or Japanese leaf cabbage seeds, this...

  • Nasiona mikrozieleni Mizuna (Brassica rapa) – jednoroczna mikrozieleń Nasiona mikrozieleni Mizuna (Brassica rapa) – jednoroczne nasiona mikrozieleni od SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,56€4,45

    Fresh Mizuna Microgreens Seeds For Crisp Microleaves mizuna microgreens seeds are a popular choice for growers who want tender, finely textured greens with a distinctive, mild mustard-like taste. This annual vegetable is widely known as...

  • Nasiona tatsoi mikrozieleniny (Brassica rapa) – jednoroczna mikrozielenina Tatsoi mikrozielenina (Brassica rapa) – nasiona jednorocznej mikrozieleniny od SeedsChoice
    20%
    €3,56€4,45

    Świeże mikrolisty tatsoi do nowoczesnych kuchni domowych Nasiona tatsoi to popularny wybór do produkcji delikatnych, łagodnie smakujących zieleni pasujących do wielu dań. Ta jednoroczna roślina znana jest powszechnie jako chińska kapusta tatsoi i ceniona za...

  • €4,45

    Garden turnip seeds for crisp white roots Garden turnip seeds ‘Platte Witte Mei’ are a classic annual root-vegetable choice for kitchen gardens, valued for their smooth, white, flat-shaped turnips and mild flavour. This cultivar belongs...

  • €4,95

    Fresh mizuna leaves for crisp salads mizuna seeds produce a rosette of long, finely toothed leaves with a pleasantly peppery, mild mustard-like flavour. This mizuna salad leaf vegetable is popular for adding texture and a...

  • €4,95

    Roczne warzywa liściowe do słonecznych grządek Nasiona namenii to roczna odmiana warzywa liściowego ceniona za delikatne liście i smukłe łodygi. To klasyczne wiosenne warzywo dobrze wpisuje się w ogrody kuchenne, w których zależy nam na...

  • €5,95

    Crisp Asian greens for everyday cooking pak choi seeds ‘Bopak F1’ are a reliable choice for gardeners who want uniform, upright plants with crunchy, lightly sweet stems and tender leaves with a gentle, peppery note....

  • €4,45

    Odmiana rzepy do grządek warzywnych w otwartym gruncie Nasiona rzepy 'Nancy' to jednoroczna odmiana warzywa korzeniowego do ogrodów kuchennych i otwartych grządek. Te nasiona ogrodowej rzepy dają atrakcyjne, okrągłe korzenie z czystą białą podstawą i...

  • €4,45

    Turnip variety for sunny beds and plots Turnip seeds ‘Ronde Witte Roodkop Nancy’ are an annual vegetable choice for gardeners who want a classic garden turnip variety with a distinctive round white red top turnip...

  • €4,95

    Greens Namenia for tender leafy harvests greens namenia seeds are an annual leaf vegetable valued for their fine, tender foliage and slender stems. This variety belongs to the leaf vegetable group and is commonly grown...

  • €4,95

    Organiczny tatsoi – zwarte rozetki liściaste Nasiona tatsoi to organiczny, jednoroczny warzywo liściowe dla ogrodników ceniących zielenie w typie pak choi o niskim, zwartym pokroju. Tatsoi tworzy kompaktowe rozetki gładkich, łyżkowatych zielonych liści i jest...

  • €4,95

    Organic garden turnip seeds for kitchen gardens garden turnip seeds ‘Platte Witte Mei’ are an organic, annual vegetable choice for growers who want a reliable white flat turnip variety with a neat, rounded-to-flat root shape....

  • €4,45

    Goldana garden turnip seeds for golden roots garden turnip seeds ‘Goldana’ are a reliable choice for gardeners who want a classic yellow turnip variety with smooth, rounded roots and a mild, gently peppery taste. This...

  • €6,95

    Turnip greens for tender spring leaf harvest turnip greens seeds are a classic choice for gardeners who enjoy mild, tender leaves early in the season. This Namenia turnip greens selection, also known as bladmoes seeds,...

Brassica rapa — turnips, pak choi and oriental greens

Brassica rapa is a hugely varied species in the cabbage family, covering the European turnip and a whole world of oriental vegetables — pak choi, Chinese cabbage, mizuna, mibuna and turnip-rooted types. It runs through our Asian greens, leafy brassicas and turnip ranges.

History & origin

Like its relative Brassica oleracea, this species was domesticated more than once. In Europe and Central Asia it was selected for the swollen root we call the turnip — one of the oldest cultivated vegetables, a staple long before the potato arrived. In East Asia, quite separately, the same species was developed into the leafy oriental greens such as pak choi and Chinese cabbage that are central to the region's cooking. A third line gave the oilseed known as turnip rape.

Its name is simple and old: Brassica is the Latin for cabbage and rapa the Latin for turnip.

Botanical characteristics

The species ranges from fast leafy greens cut young for salads and stir-fries to quick-maturing turnips grown for their mild, sweet roots. Most are fast and cool-season, and many bolt in summer heat, so spring and autumn are their best windows. The leafy types are some of our quickest fast-growing vegetables, while turnips sit among the root vegetables.

Growing Brassica rapa from seed

Sow direct in the cooler halves of the year for the best results, keeping the soil moist so plants grow fast and sweet rather than bolting or turning woody. Protect young leaves from flea beetle, which can pepper them with little holes. Our vegetable sowing calendar shows the timing and our pest control guide helps keep them clean.

Ready to grow these? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Asian Greens · Leafy Brassicas · Turnip · Fast-Growing Veg · All Vegetables

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brassica rapa?
A single species covering the turnip and many oriental greens such as pak choi, Chinese cabbage and mizuna.

Where does it originate?
It was domesticated separately — the turnip in Europe and Central Asia, the leafy greens in East Asia.

What does the name mean?
Brassica is Latin for cabbage and rapa is Latin for turnip.

Is it the same as Brassica oleracea?
No — it is a separate species, though it also takes many forms.

How do I grow it?
Sow in the cooler seasons, keep the soil moist, and protect young leaves from flea beetle.