garden
Mustard greens
Brassica juncea
EdibleMedicinal
Edible Partsleaves, seeds
Overview
Spicy, bold-flavored greens that bring heat and depth to salads, stir-fries, and Southern cooking traditions. Mustard greens come in a kaleidoscope of varieties — from the giant, crinkled leaves of Southern types to the beautiful red and purple Asian cultivars. Their pungent glucosinolates, the same compounds found in horseradish and wasabi, are among the most potent cancer-fighting phytochemicals in the plant kingdom.
Growing Conditions
LightFull Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones9a — 11
Height1.22m
Spread0.3m
Growth HabitForb/herb
LifespanAnnual
Bloom ColorYellow
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Soil pH5.5 — 7
Soil TypeRich, moist, well-drained soil
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Direct Sow | May — Jun | Direct sow after last frost; bolts quickly in heat |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Jun — Jul | Harvest baby leaves or full size; 30-45 days |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Mar — Apr | Sow early spring; succession sow every 2 weeks |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Aug — Sep | Fall sowing for spicy greens |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | Apr — May | Harvest before bolting; cut-and-come-again |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | Sep — Oct | Fall harvest |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Feb — Apr | Cool-season crop; bolts above 75°F |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Aug — Oct | Fall crop; light frost sweetens leaves |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Mar — May | Harvest before heat |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Sep — Nov | Fall harvest |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Sep — Nov | Fall/winter crop; too hot for spring |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Nov — Feb (wraps) | Harvest during cool season |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Oct — Feb (wraps) | Cool-season crop only |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Nov — Mar (wraps) | Harvest during winter |
Uses
Culinary
- Braised with smoked meat in Southern cuisine
- Raw baby leaves in spicy salad mixes
- Stir-fried with garlic in Asian cooking
Medicinal
- Exceptionally high in glucosinolates for cancer prevention
- Rich in vitamins K, A, and C
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Other Uses
- Biofumigant cover crop — glucosinolates suppress soil pathogens when tilled in
Safety Notes
Mustard allergy possibly especially in children and adolescents. Retention of seeds possibly in intestines if taken internally [301].
