{"product_id":"purple-sword-celtuce-wosun-seeds","title":"Purple Sword Celtuce, Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003ch2\u003ePurple Sword Celtuce, Heirloom Seeds — The Ancient Chinese Stem Lettuce With Striking Purple-Red Stalks and a Flavor Unlike Anything in the Western Garden\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeet one of the most intriguing vegetables you’ve never grown — Purple Sword Celtuce (\u003cem\u003eLactuca sativa var. asparagina\u003c\/em\u003e), known in China as \u003cem\u003eWosun\u003c\/em\u003e (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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy Grow Purple Sword Celtuce?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStriking purple-red stems\u003c\/strong\u003e — ornamental appeal in the garden and on the plate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnique flavor profile\u003c\/strong\u003e — mild, nutty, crisp; unlike anything else in the Western vegetable garden\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile in the kitchen\u003c\/strong\u003e — eat raw, stir-fried, pickled, braised, or steamed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAntioxidant-rich\u003c\/strong\u003e — deep purple pigmentation from high anthocyanin content\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRare and specialty\u003c\/strong\u003e — a conversation-starting addition to any garden or CSA box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen-pollinated heirloom\u003c\/strong\u003e — save seed year after year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeel 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCool-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60–80 days from transplant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–12 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhen stalk reaches 2–3 cm diameter, before bolting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrost Tolerance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight frost tolerant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eLactuca sativa var. asparagina\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeirloom, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO, Annual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAll U.S. zones (cool season)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43843669786758,"sku":null,"price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/purple-sword-celtuce-plant-close-up.png?v=1775534255","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/purple-sword-celtuce-wosun-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}