How far apart should I plant Mustard greens?

About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–40 cm (12–16 in).

Does Mustard greens need full sun?

Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Mustard greens need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Mustard greens?

It tolerates about -6 °C (21 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.

When does Mustard greens flower?

About 9–13 weeks after planting, for 4–6 weeks.

Is Mustard greens poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; pungent isothiocyanates can upset the stomach of pets in quantity.

What grows well with Mustard greens?

Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Mustard greens Brassica juncea

Mustard greens (Brassica juncea) is an annual vegetable in the Brassicaceae family, native to Central Asia (hybrid origin; widely cultivated). It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 30–40 cm (12–16 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -6 °C (21 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.

Plan Mustard greens in your garden →
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Mustard greens at a glance

Type	Annual vegetable
Family	Brassicaceae
Mature height	30–60 cm (12–24 in)
Mature spread	30–40 cm (12–16 in)
Spacing	25 cm (10 in) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	5.5–7
Cold hardiness	About -6 °C (21 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9)
Heat stress	Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F)
Flowering	about 9–13 weeks after planting, for 4–6 weeks
Days to maturity	About 45 days from planting
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	Moderate
Edible	Yes: leaves, seeds (mustard), flower buds
Native to	Central Asia (hybrid origin; widely cultivated)
Common in gardens of	🇨🇳 China, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore

Is Mustard greens toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Not toxic; pungent isothiocyanates can upset the stomach of pets in quantity.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Mustard greens

Good neighbours

good With Rhubarb: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Evidence D
good With Nasturtium: Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas. Evidence C

Shared pests and diseases

Clubroot: Clubroot spores persist in soil up to 20 years; keep brassicas in a rotation. Evidence B

Questions about Mustard greens

How far apart should I plant Mustard greens?: About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–40 cm (12–16 in).
Does Mustard greens need full sun?: Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Mustard greens need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Mustard greens?: It tolerates about -6 °C (21 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
When does Mustard greens flower?: About 9–13 weeks after planting, for 4–6 weeks.
Is Mustard greens poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; pungent isothiocyanates can upset the stomach of pets in quantity.
What grows well with Mustard greens?: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).

EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI

Notes and assumptions

Cool-season leaf crop that bolts in heat and long days; red-leaved forms have purplish leaf colour.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica
Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Kale Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Radish Raphanus sativus
Bok choy Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes