Japanese Honewort Seeds 'Kanto Mitsuba' (Cryptotaenia japonica) – Treated Seeds with Mild Celery-Parsley Flavor

Minimum: 100+ Seeds

🌿 Elegant. Aromatic. Deeply Japanese. • Culinary Herb • Shade-Loving | Edible & Ornamental

Bring delicate flavor and refined beauty to your herb garden with Kanto Mitsuba (Cryptotaenia japonica), a beloved Japanese heirloom known for its tender leaves, subtle aroma, and versatility in the kitchen. Sometimes called Japanese Honewort, Mitsuba is a cherished ingredient in traditional dishes like miso soup, chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), and noodle broths.

With a clean, slightly grassy taste—somewhere between celery, parsley, and shiso—Kanto Mitsuba adds a gentle umami lift to broths, salads, and garnishes. Its clover-like leaves and upright habit also make it a graceful addition to shady borders, edible landscapes, or Japanese-style gardens.

🌿 Why Grow Kanto Mitsuba?

🍃 Classic Japanese Flavor
Used in sushi, soups, and tempura—essential in traditional and modern Japanese cooking.

🌱 Grows in Partial Shade
Thrives in dappled sun or woodland garden settings where many herbs struggle.

🌿 Tender, Triple-Lobed Leaves
Mild, aromatic foliage is perfect for fresh harvests and garnishes.

📈 Quick Growing & Multi-Harvest
Fast to sprout and regrows well after cutting—perfect for small-batch harvesting.

🪴 Great for Containers & Edible Borders
Compact and lush, it fits easily into patios, planters, and herb spirals.

🌿 How to Grow Kanto Mitsuba (Japanese Honewort)

Botanical Name: Cryptotaenia japonica
Plant Type: Perennial in warm zones, grown as an annual elsewhere
Days to Germination: 14–21 days
Days to Maturity: 60–70 days
Sunlight: Part shade to light sun
Soil: Moist, rich, well-drained soil
Seed Depth: ¼ inch
Spacing: 6–9 inches
Height at Maturity: 12–18 inches
USDA Zones: 5–9 (may self-seed in cooler zones)

Sow seeds in early spring or late summer directly in garden beds or containers. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Thin young plants to give them space to spread and mature. Harvest young leaves regularly for best flavor and continued growth.

🛠️ Growing Tips

• Prefers cooler temps—great for spring and fall gardens.

• Keep soil moist, especially in warmer weather.

• Pinch flower stalks if you want to prolong leaf production.

• In warmer zones, Mitsuba may return each year or reseed naturally.

• Combine with Japanese mustard greens, shiso, or scallions for an authentic herb patch.

🌎 Perfect For:

🍱 Japanese & Asian Cuisine Gardens – Essential for miso soups, tamago, and garnishes
🌳 Woodland & Shade Gardens – One of the few herbs that thrive in low light
🪴 Container Herb Gardens – Compact, attractive, and easy to harvest
🥗 Edible Landscapes – Culinary and ornamental in equal measure
🌿 Herbal Tea & Medicinal Gardens – Traditionally used for digestive and calming support

🌱 Fun Fact:
“Mitsuba” means “three leaves” in Japanese, referring to its signature trifoliate shape. While often eaten fresh, Mitsuba is also briefly blanched and used as a gentle herbal accent in ceremonial and everyday meals throughout Japan.

🔒 Quiet Elegance. Everyday Utility.

At Terra Mater Gardens, we grow herbs that connect cultures and elevate everyday meals. Our Kanto Mitsuba Japanese Honewort Seeds are open-pollinated, untreated, and selected for authenticity, ease, and flavor. Add a touch of Japanese tradition to your table—start with just three leaves.