Growing Mizuna, also Japanese Greens, Mitzuna, Mibuna

Brassica rapa var japonica : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    P                  

(Best months for growing Mizuna in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 - 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 35-50 days.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Radish, lettuce
  • Mizuna leaf

Mizuna and Mibuna are both grown for their leaves. Fast growing plants which have a mild mustardy flavour when young.

Tolerates light shade. Tends to bolt in hotter weather. Grows well in pots and containers - keep mulched and well-watered.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Mizuna

Leaves used raw, stir-fried, in soups. Young flowering stems can be cooked like broccoli.

Your comments and tips

19 Apr 22, Clare (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted some mizuna seedlings two weeks ago and they are growing well. Only problem is that yellow flowers are appearing already, before I've had a chance to use the leaves! If I snip these off will they keep giving me leaves or bolt altogether?
21 Apr 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How rich is your soil. Snap them off.
17 Jan 20, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
My mizuna is getting old and scraggly and has formed a big root like a rough turnip. I was going to pull the mizuna soon. Is the root worth eating?
12 May 17, thami (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
what the health benefits of eating the mizuna and does it retain nutrients in the soil or help the soil in any how??
15 May 17, (Australia - temperate climate)
Mizuna is high in vitamin C, folate and iron and contains a good supply of anti-oxidants. I don't know of any benefits to the soil other than help break up soil, which all plants do, and adding bulk by digging in the trash.
10 Jan 16, Vera Turnbull (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
Wgere can I get seeds or plants of Mizuna or Mibuna please?
20 Feb 18, ngoc (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
try Nickys Nursery for large range of oriental veg. If you only want small amount try Moreveg.co.uk they have seed packets starting just 50 pence
27 Mar 16, Richard (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
I have had good results with Kings Seeds (our allotment supplier) for the last couple of years. In January I start this in a piece of gutter hanging in the greenhouse with short leaves ready in March.
28 Apr 15, Dave (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I bought a mix of asian sprouting seeds from bunnings. Didnt have much luck with one the packs sprouting and when I pulled an old plant out of a box I saw the seeds and thought I'd drop them into the soil. 4 days later there all coming up.
01 Jun 14, GB (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
Ok, a silly question … when I harvest this, is it best to cut it or pull it out?
Showing 1 - 10 of 17 comments

There are a number of plants known by the name "Japanese Greens". There is a good list here: http://evergreenseeds.com/japanesegreens.html (Editor note: this is a US website, so it may not be possible to buy seed from this site for Australia/New Zealand)

- Magda

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