Mizuna
The standard green form, with finely cut leaves and a mild mustard flavour.
Brassica rapa subsp. nipposinica

A fast Japanese mustard green for the UK garden. Sow a little at a time, keep the soil evenly moist, and give light shade in heat so plants do not bolt.
30 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water
Calibrated to Liverpool · last frost ≈ 16 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow outdoors | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What to do through the growing season
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Grow mizuna in pots or window boxes for quick harvests close to the kitchen. Keep the compost evenly moist, not soggy.
01
Fill containers with moist compost and sow thinly around 2nd April - 8th October. Cover with of compost. Sow a fresh batch every 14 days.
02
After each sowing, thin to apart once the plants are easy to handle. You can pot on the extras. Water in after thinning.
03
After each sowing, from 16th April, water when the top of the compost begins to dry. Keep it moist, not soggy. Move pots out of scorching sun in hot spells. Check for slugs and flea beetle.
04
Pick outer leaves after each sowing from 30th April once plants are established. Harvest regularly through 12th December to keep fresh growth coming.
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Mizuna.
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Popular varieties of Mizuna to consider
The standard green form, with finely cut leaves and a mild mustard flavour.
A red-tinged selection with the same quick growth and peppery bite.
A common green mizuna type, valued for its neat leaf shape and steady cutting.
A darker ornamental strain that is still good to eat when picked young.
See how Mizuna timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.