Purple Sword Celtuce, Heirloom Seeds

Purple Sword Celtuce, Heirloom Seeds — The Ancient Chinese Stem Lettuce With Striking Purple-Red Stalks and a Flavor Unlike Anything in the Western Garden

Meet one of the most intriguing vegetables you’ve never grown — Purple Sword Celtuce (Lactuca sativa var. asparagina), known in China as Wosun (莴笋). This ancient Chinese stem lettuce has been cultivated for centuries, prized for its thick, crisp stalk and striking deep purple-red coloration. Rare in Western gardens, it’s a showstopper that rewards the curious grower with a harvest unlike anything else. Peel back the stalk to reveal a pale jade-green interior with a flavor that’s mild, nutty, and refreshingly crisp — somewhere between a cucumber and an artichoke heart. The leaves are edible too, with a flavor similar to romaine lettuce.

Why Grow Purple Sword Celtuce?

• Striking purple-red stems — ornamental appeal in the garden and on the plate
• Unique flavor profile — mild, nutty, crisp; unlike anything else in the Western vegetable garden
• Versatile in the kitchen — eat raw, stir-fried, pickled, braised, or steamed
• Antioxidant-rich — deep purple pigmentation from high anthocyanin content
• Rare and specialty — a conversation-starting addition to any garden or CSA box
• Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year

In the Kitchen

Peel the outer skin of the stalk and slice thinly for salads, or cut into batons for stir-fries. In Chinese cuisine, wosun is commonly braised with garlic and oyster sauce, or pickled with chili and vinegar. The leaves can be sautéed like spinach or added to soups.

Growing Notes

Cool-season crop — best in spring or fall; bolts in heat. Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost, or direct sow in cool weather. Rich, well-draining, consistently moist soil. Space 8–12 inches apart. Light frost tolerant. Harvest when stalk reaches 2–3 cm diameter, before bolting.

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.