Can Babies Eat Chrysanthemum Greens? Guide
Yes, babies can eat chrysanthemum greens from around 6 months, cooked until very soft and finely chopped. They are strongly aromatic, so introduce a little at a time.
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- When to introduce
- Around 6 months
- Common allergen?
- No (not a top-9 allergen)
- Texture
- Cooked very soft, finely chopped or pureed
- Key nutrients
- Leafy-green vitamins and minerals
Can babies eat chrysanthemum greens? Yes, from around 6 months, cooked until very soft and finely chopped or pureed. Known as tong ho, shungiku, or garland chrysanthemum, these are the tender, aromatic leaves used in hot pots, stir-fries, and Korean and Japanese cooking. They have a bold, herbal, almost floral aroma, so introduce a little at a time and pair them with mild foods until your baby gets used to the flavor.
Why it matters: Leafy greens do not break down into a safe pulp the way soft fruits do, and uncooked or in long strands they can clump and stick, so the same cook-soft, chop-fine, no-strands rule applies to chrysanthemum greens as to spinach, kale, and other greens.
Prep School: how to prepare chrysanthemum greens for baby-led weaning (BLW) and purées
🍴 Baby-led weaning
🥄 Purées
Are chrysanthemum greens safe? Choking & prep
Cook chrysanthemum greens until very soft before serving them to a baby. Like other leafy greens, they can clump, string, and stick to the roof of the mouth when they are not cooked and chopped well1, so cook the leaves until they collapse and feel tender, then puree or finely mince them, or mix them into a moist food, and avoid handing over long strands or whole leaves. They are strongly aromatic, so start with a small amount on its own and watch how your baby responds. Chrysanthemum greens are not a common allergen, but as with any new food, offer a little the first time and watch how your baby does. There is no need to add salt to your baby's portion.
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Nutrition
Chrysanthemum greens are a leafy green vegetable, so like other cooked greens they contribute the vitamins and minerals typical of dark leaves along with fiber and water, all for very few calories. Cooking softens both the texture and the strong aroma, making a finely chopped serving easy to fold into grains, tofu, or other vegetables. Serving greens alongside a food rich in vitamin C helps your baby absorb the plant iron they contain.
Goes well with
Sweet potato · Rice or congee · Tofu · Lentils · Egg (if introduced) · Sesame-free noodles
Storage & freezing
Refrigerate cooked chrysanthemum greens in a sealed container for up to 3 days, or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.
More vegetables to explore
Related reading
- Best first vegetables for babies →
- How to cut food to prevent choking →
- Signs your baby is ready for solids →
- Baby-led weaning vs. purées →
Common questions
Can babies eat chrysanthemum greens?
Yes, from around 6 months, cooked until very soft and finely chopped or pureed. They are strongly aromatic, so introduce a little at a time and pair them with mild foods until your baby gets used to the flavor.
What are chrysanthemum greens?
They are the tender, edible leaves of the garland chrysanthemum plant, known as tong ho in Chinese and shungiku in Japanese cooking. They are common in hot pots, stir-fries, and soups, and are prized for their bold, herbal aroma.
Can babies eat raw chrysanthemum greens?
For babies and young toddlers, cooked-soft is the safer default. Raw leaves are more fibrous and harder to chew, and uncooked greens can clump or stick. Cook them until they collapse and are tender, then chop finely or puree.
Are chrysanthemum greens too strong-tasting for babies?
They have a bold, herbal, almost floral flavor that some babies love and others reject at first. Start with a small amount, pair them with mellow foods like sweet potato, rice, or tofu, and offer again another day if the first taste earns a betrayal face.
How do I keep chrysanthemum greens from being stringy?
Cook the leaves until they fully collapse and feel tender, then puree, finely mince, or mix them into a moist food like mashed sweet potato or congee. Avoid handing over long, whole strands of cooked greens.
How do I serve chrysanthemum greens for baby-led weaning?
Because leafy greens do not hold a safe shape on their own, fold finely chopped, well-cooked greens into something a baby can pick up: a scoop of mashed sweet potato or tofu, soft rice, or a savory porridge. Skip loose strands and whole leaves.
Are chrysanthemum greens a common allergen?
No, chrysanthemum greens are not one of the top-9 allergens. As with any new food, offer a small amount on its own the first time and watch how your baby does.
Can babies have chrysanthemum greens from hot pot?
Cook a plain, unseasoned portion for your baby rather than serving greens from a shared, salty broth. Hot pot broths are often high in salt and can contain chili or other strong seasonings, which babies do not need.
What foods pair well with chrysanthemum greens?
Mellow, starchy, or creamy foods balance the strong aroma best: sweet potato, rice or congee, tofu, lentils, and egg if it has already been introduced. These pairings also help a hesitant baby take to the bold flavor.
Do I need to remove the stems?
The thin, tender stems soften with cooking and are usually fine once the greens are cooked very soft and finely chopped. Any thicker, tougher stems are easiest to trim before cooking so the leaves stay soft and easy to gum.
Sources
Further reading
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): Starting Solid Foods
- CDC: Foods and Drinks to Encourage and Limit
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Start tracking for freeLast updated July 2026. Next review January 2027. How we write these: grounded in widely published pediatric guidance (the AAP, WHO, the NIAID 2017 allergen guidelines, and the LEAP study), and pending independent review by a pediatric professional. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these.
This is general information, not medical advice, and has not been individually reviewed for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.
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