Mustard Greens

Plant Overview

Mustard Greens (Brassica juncea) is listed in the Brassicaceae family and categorized as a vegetable with an annual or biennial life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Easy.

Plant ID

PLT-0043

Family

Brassicaceae

Plant type

Vegetable

Life cycle

Annual or biennial

Growth habit

Fast-growing, upright cool-season leafy herb; develops taller stems bearing yellow flowers when it bolts

Mature height

Leafy garden forms may reach about 12-18 inches; flowering and seed-producing plants can reach 3-6 feet depending on variety

Mature spread

About 12-18 inches for many leafy garden forms; size varies with variety and harvest stage

Difficulty

Easy

Growing Conditions

Mustard Greens is listed for full sun to partial shade conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; keep evenly moist without waterlogging. The database soil reference is Fertile, well-drained soil with organic matter. The listed soil pH range is 6.0-7.0, and the listed hardiness range is 2-11 as an annual crop.

Hardiness zones

2-11 as an annual crop

Sunlight

Full sun to partial shade

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil with organic matter

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Water needs

Moderate; keep evenly moist without waterlogging

Plant spacing

Thin to 6-18 inches between plants depending on variety; allow rows 24-36 inches apart when growing for seed

Seed & Germination

For seed starting, the listed germination time is Usually about 4-10 days under favorable conditions and the seed depth is Sow about 1/2 inch deep. The listed time to maturity is Leaf harvest commonly begins about 6 weeks after sowing; timing varies with variety and conditions. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.

Germination

Usually about 4-10 days under favorable conditions

Germination temperature

Germinates best around 55-65 F; soil temperatures above 80 F can reduce germination

Seed depth

Sow about 1/2 inch deep

Sowing method

Direct sow during the cool growing season, or use young transplants

Start indoors

Optional; allow about 5-6 weeks to produce established transplants

Transplanting

Set out plants with 4-6 developed leaves and a healthy root system during cool weather

Harvest & Propagation

Days to maturity

Leaf harvest commonly begins about 6 weeks after sowing; timing varies with variety and conditions

Harvest

Pick outer leaves while leaving the central growing point intact for continued harvest; harvest before flowering for best leaf quality

Propagation

Grow from seed, either directly sown or raised as transplants

Seed saving

Let seed pods turn light brown and dry; collect stems before pods shatter, then thresh and clean the seed. Separate flowering varieties by 800 feet to 1/2 mile to help maintain variety purity. Save from 20-50 plants for long-term variety maintenance.

Pollination

Self-compatible and predominantly self-pollinating, but insects can transfer pollen between flowering plants and cause crossing

Garden Information

Common pests

Flea beetles, aphids, cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, slugs, and snails

Common diseases

Downy mildew, Alternaria leaf spot, clubroot, bacterial soft rot, and turnip mosaic virus; occurrence varies with local conditions

Uses

Young peppery leaves for salads; larger leaves cooked as greens; seeds used as a spice or mustard condiment; also grown as a cover crop