garden
Mizuna
Brassica juncea var. rugosa
Edible
Overview
A mild, feathery Japanese mustard green that adds texture and gentle peppery flavor to salads and stir-fries. Mizuna is one of the most productive and resilient salad greens, capable of regrowing multiple times after cutting. It withstands heat better than most salad greens and tolerates light frost, making it a nearly year-round crop in many climates.
Growing Conditions
LightPartial Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones4 — 9
Height0.3m
Spread0.3m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Pollinator Valuemoderate
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH6 — 7.5
Soil TypeMoist, fertile, well-drained soil
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Direct Sow | Apr — May | Direct sow 2-3 weeks before last frost; very cold tolerant; fast growing |
| Cold (1-2) | Direct Sow | Jul — Aug | Late summer sow for fall harvest |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | May — Jun | Cut-and-come-again at 4-6" tall; feathery leaves mild and peppery |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Aug — Oct | Fall harvest; tolerates frost |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Mar — May | Direct sow early spring; succession sow every 2-3 weeks |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Aug — Sep | Fall sowing; overwinters with protection in many areas |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | Apr — Jun | Harvest outer leaves or cut whole plant 1" above crown |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | Sep — Nov | Fall/early winter harvest |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Feb — Apr | Sow late winter through spring; bolt resistant compared to other Asian greens |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Aug — Oct | Fall sowing for extended harvest |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Mar — May | Spring harvest; regrows 3-4 times from crown |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Sep — Dec | Fall through early winter |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Sep — Nov | Fall through early winter sowing |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Oct — Mar (wraps) | Harvest through cool season |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Oct — Dec | Cool-season crop; mild peppery flavor |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Nov — Feb (wraps) | Winter harvest; excellent salad green |
Uses
Culinary
- Raw in salads for mild peppery crunch
- Stir-fried or added to soups at the last minute
- Mixed into hot pot and ramen
Medicinal
- Rich in glucosinolates with cancer-protective properties
- High in vitamins A, C, and K
- Good source of folate and calcium
Other Uses
- Excellent cut-and-come-again salad crop for intensive gardening
