Trio of Japanese White Dandelion&
Japanese White Dandelion in painted tea cup on white background.
Close-up Japanese White Dandelion.
Japanese White Dandelion on white background with black stone.
Japanese White Dandelion blooms on wooden counter top.
Japanese White Dandelion along with Dandelion that has gone to seed.
Trio of Japanese White Dandelion&
Japanese White Dandelion in painted tea cup on white background.
Close-up Japanese White Dandelion.
Japanese White Dandelion on white background with black stone.
Japanese White Dandelion blooms on wooden counter top.
Japanese White Dandelion along with Dandelion that has gone to seed.

Dandelion Seeds,
Japanese White

48 ReviewsSKU: #HB283Min. seed count: 15
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Regular price $3.50
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Description

(Taraxacum albidum). In Japan, white dandelion is held in high esteem. A white-flowered member of the dandelion family, this species, Taraxacum albidum, is specifically found growing wild in southern Japan. It is not considered an aggressive or weedy dandelion variety. Instead, it is celebrated in its native land as a useful food and medicine plant. Its delicately bitter leaves are lightly boiled into Ohitashi. The snow-white blooms are lightly battered and fried for tempura, and the long tap root is favored both for its culinary potential and its medicinal benefits.

Growing Tips: Japanese White dandelion is adaptable to most areas but grows best in a location that receives morning sun and part to full shade in the afternoon. This keeps the greens tender and mild. Regular watering is important but avoid waterlogging.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Taraxacum albidum
Life Cycle
Perennial in zones 3 and above
Sun Requirement
4–6 hr.
Days to Germinate
5–10
Days to Maturity
40–60
Planting Depth
⅛ in.
Plant Spacing
8–12 in.
Ideal Temperature
45–75°F
Frost Hardy
Yes

When to Grow

You can sow Japanese White dandelion seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost in spring or outdoors once all danger of frost has passed. The variety is hardy in USDA zones 3 and above​. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post "Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources."

How to Sow and Plant

Directly sow the seeds on the soil surface, as they need light to germinate. Lightly press them into the soil without covering them too deeply. Space the plants 8-12 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. Germination takes around 5-10 days.

How to Grow

Once germinated, keep the soil consistently moist but well-drained. For best results, grow in cooler weather to reduce bitterness. Harvest the young leaves for salads or wait until they mature for stronger flavors. Japanese White dandelions are also well-suited for container gardening.

How to Save Seeds

  • Dandelion flowers have little tufts called pappuses.
  • When the full seedhead is present, before the wind can whisk it away or animal traffic breaks it apart, the entire seedhead can be pulled or clipped from the plant and placed in a container for drying.
  • To remove the pappuses from the seeds, simply rub them on a screen. The tiny seed will fall through and the pappuses ball up and are caught on the surface of the screen.
  • Chaff and other debris can be further separated, if desired, by careful screening and winnowing. It does not take much of an air current to separate the chaff from these very tiny seeds, so gently blowing on the surface of the seeds in a container will usually be enough to separate, then stir and shake the seeds and repeat the process until there is no longer chaff or debris.

FAQ

Is Japanese White dandelion invasive?

No, unlike common dandelions, this variety is not considered invasive. It grows more slowly and is not as aggressive in spreading.

What are the best growing conditions for Japanese White dandelion?

It prefers well-drained, fertile soil and can grow in full sun or partial shade. Cooler weather enhances the flavor of the leaves and reduces bitterness.

Are Japanese White dandelion flowers and leaves edible?

Yes, the mildly bitter leaves are great for salads, and the white flowers can be used decoratively or in teas.

Browse our full range of dandelion seeds.

Customer reviews

4 / 5 8 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Easy to grow: Grows like a weed and forgives neglect once established.

  • Bright white blooms: A striking change from the usual yellow dandelion.

  • Tasty greens: Lots of leaves with a mild, slightly bitter dandelion taste.

  • Patience for blooms: Often no flowers until year two; start early indoors.

  • Comes back: Overwinters and returns bigger the next spring.

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