Big Leaf Tong Ho arranged with blooms on a white background.
Woman holding Big Leaf Tong Ho Chrysanthemum leaves and flowers.
Big Leaf Tong Ho Chrysanthemum sauteed leaves with petal on white plate.
A little girl standing in bed full of blooming Big Leaf Tong Ho Chrysanthemum plants.
Big Leaf Tong Ho arranged with blooms on a white background.
Woman holding Big Leaf Tong Ho Chrysanthemum leaves and flowers.
Big Leaf Tong Ho Chrysanthemum sauteed leaves with petal on white plate.
A little girl standing in bed full of blooming Big Leaf Tong Ho Chrysanthemum plants.

Chrysanthemum Seeds,
Big Leaf Tong Ho

4.29 ReviewsSKU: #OR164Min. seed count: 100
Price
Regular price $3.50
Regular price $0.00 Sale price $3.50
Save $-3.50
/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Description

Extra large leaves and beautiful edible flowers make this a favorite in China. A unique Asian green, the leaves are thick and crunchy with a scrumptious savory flavor. Tall plants produce tons of large, edible blooms that reach 3 inches across and make great cut flowers. Way beyond any ornamental value, these flowers are a gourmet delicacy. Try them lightly fried tempura style, sprinkled atop salads or steeped into the famous Chrysanthemum tea. The leaves are extra large, hand-sized and make a popular green in China. In America these are traditionally known as “Chop Suey Greens”. Leaves on younger plants are huge, but will be smaller once the plant sends up the tall flower stalks, but equally tasty.

Growing Tips: Sow in place. Rich, moist, well-drained soil. Harvest leaves when plants are about a foot tall or gather new growth. Will make very attractive daisy-like flowers.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Glebionis coronaria
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Days to Germinate
10–14
Planting Depth
¼ in.
Plant Spacing
8–18 in.
Ideal Temperature
65–70°F
Frost Hardy
No

When to Grow

Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before your last frost, or direct sow after all danger of frost has passed; this one does well sown in place. Plant 1/4 inch deep and keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination; sow into cool soil, as the seed germinates best at about 60 to 70 F and germination falls off in hotter ground. Grow it at the cool ends of the season: heat and long days push plants to bolt and shrink the leaves, so sow in spring for an early harvest and again in late summer for fall, and skip midsummer sowings. The plants are not frost hardy, but in mild-winter regions a fall sowing gives the longest leaf harvest.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Seeds germinate in 7-14 days.
  • Plant 1/4 inch deep.
  • Start indoors 4 weeks before last frost or direct sow after last frost has passed.
  • Southern gardeners can fall sow for winter greens production.
  • Keep seeds consistently moist until germination.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 75-85 F.

How to Grow

  • Plants will tolerate a range of soil conditions, but they do best in moist, well-drained, rich soil.
  • Prefers full sun.
  • Space plants 6-10 inches apart.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • This plant has no known major pests or diseases.

How to Save Seeds

  • Seeds are easy to save; the heads turn brown and seeds can easily be harvested in fall.
  • Keep in a cool, dry, dark place until spring.

FAQ

When do I pick the leaves?

Harvest leaves when plants are about a foot tall, or gather new growth as it comes. The hand-sized leaves on younger plants are huge and will be smaller once the plant sends up its tall flower stalks, but they are equally tasty. They are thick and crunchy with a scrumptious savory flavor, and in America they are traditionally known as "Chop Suey Greens."

Are the flowers edible too?

Yes. Tall plants produce tons of large, edible blooms that reach 3 inches across. Try them lightly fried tempura style, sprinkled atop salads, or steeped into the famous Chrysanthemum tea. They also make great cut flowers.

What growing conditions does Big Leaf Tong Ho want?

Plants tolerate a range of soil conditions but do best in rich, moist, well-drained soil, in full sun. Space them 8 to 18 inches apart. Seeds germinate in 10 to 14 days, and the plant has no known major pests or diseases.
FREE SHIPPING IN THE U.S.A.
Alternate domestic shipping options available at checkout.
You may also like