Edible plant · leafy greens

Shungiku

Glebionis coronaria

Also known asChrysanthemum greens · Edible chrysanthemum · Tong ho · Garland chrysanthemum · Crown daisy · Sukgat

beginner cool-season hydroponic-ready aquaponic-ready continuous
Days to harvest
30–50
Yield / plant
0.2kg
Spacing
15 cm
Daily light
12–20DLI

Environment

The bounded range this crop tolerates.

Temperature
5152535
422°C
pH
45.578.5
6–7
EC (hydro)
01234
1.2–1.8 mS/cm
Daily light
5152535
12–20 mol/m²/d
Continuous harvest

Climate and zones

USDA zones
3–11 (winter low around -40°C)
Frost
frost hardy
Season
cool (spring/fall)
Outdoor year-round (in zone)
Outdoor in growing season
Unheated greenhouse / hoop
Heated greenhouse
Indoor (heated home)
Indoor hydroponics + grow lights

Growing systems

Root mass: light.

Deep water culture (rafts)
NFT channels
·Vertical / aeroponic tower
·Drip / Dutch buckets
Media bed (ebb and flow)
Wicking bed
Soil bed

Growing media

MediumpH effectRetentionBacterial surface
Rockwool (Mineral wool) alkaline until pre-soaked very high low
Coco coir (Coconut coir) slightly acidic high moderate
Perlite (Expanded volcanic glass) neutral / inert very low low
Soil-based mix (Potting soil) varies high high

Nutrient demand by stage

NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.

StageNPKEC (mS/cm)
seedling2110.8
vegetative3121.4

Aquaponics suitability

Compatible

Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.

Care notes

A fast, easy, cool-season hydroponic green. EC 1.2-1.8 mS/cm. pH 6.0-7.0. Temperature: 1022°C (cool-season; bolts rapidly in heat above 25°C, though like broccoli rabe the flower buds are also edible so bolting matters less). Moderate light (DLI 12-20 mol/m2/day). NFT, DWC or media-bed systems. From seed to baby leaf: 3-4 weeks; full-sized: 5-7 weeks. Harvest by cutting leaves and tender stem tips. The aromatic, slightly bitter flavour is an acquired taste for Western palates but is prized in Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cooking. For hot pot, add the leaves to the simmering broth in the last 1-2 minutes; they wilt quickly and infuse it with their distinctive aroma. Succession plant every 3 weeks; pest issues are minimal.

Further reading