HeirloomContainer OK

Mustard Greens 'Southern Giant Curled'

Brassica juncea 'Southern Giant Curled'

A beloved heirloom variety that's been a Southern garden staple for over 100 years, producing massive yields of deeply frilled, bright green leaves. This heat-tolerant variety grows vigorously in conditions that would stress other greens, making it perfect for extending the harvest season. The young leaves are mild enough for salads, while mature leaves develop the characteristic peppery bite that makes them perfect for traditional Southern cooking.

Harvest

45-50d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

8–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-18 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Mustard Greens 'Southern Giant Curled' in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Mustard Greens 'Southern Giant Curled' · Zones 8–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing8-12 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates poorer soils than most brassicas

pH6.0-7.5

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonFall, Winter and Spring

FlavorYoung leaves are mild and slightly sweet. Mature leaves have a spicy, peppery mustard flavor with slight bitterness.

ColorBright green with lighter green veins

SizeLarge leaves, 8-12 inches long when mature

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	March – April	May – June	May – June	June – October
Zone 4	March – April	May – June	April – June	June – October
Zone 5	February – March	April – May	April – May	June – November
Zone 6	February – March	April – May	April – May	May – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	March – May	May – November
Zone 8	January – February	March – April	March – April	April – December
Zone 9	January – January	February – March	February – March	March – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	January – March	March – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: High Organic Matter. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Davidson County Extension Demonstration Garden. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Long pods with round, brown seeds. The fruits will dry and split when ripe. The seeds are harvested for use in condiments and oil.

Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Siliqua.

Garden value: Edible

Bloom time: Fall, Summer

Edibility: The leaves, seeds, flowers, and stems of this mustard variety are edible raw or cooked. Harvested leaves can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh mustard greens store best in the refrigerator wrapped in damp paper towels inside perforated plastic bags, maintaining quality for 5-7 days. Unlike delicate lettuce, Southern Giant's sturdy leaves hold up well to washing and storing wet. For longer preservation, blanch leaves in boiling water for 2 minutes, plunge into ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in portions – they'll keep 8-10 months frozen. Traditional Southern cooks often can mustard greens with a pressure canner, creating shelf-stable jars that capture the garden's bounty. Dehydrating works well too; dried mustard leaves can be ground into a spicy seasoning powder that adds kick to soups and stews throughout winter.

History & Origin

Origin: Russia to central Asia

Advantages

+Attracts: The leaves, seeds, flowers, and stems of this mustard variety are edible raw or cooked. Harvested leaves can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days.
+Wildlife value: Bees are attracted.
+Edible: The leaves, seeds, flowers, and stems of this mustard variety are edible raw or cooked. Harvested leaves can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days.
+Fast-growing

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for flea beetles and aphids that commonly attack brassicas

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms

Onions

Repels cabbage maggots and aphids with strong sulfur compounds

Lettuce

Provides ground cover and utilizes different soil nutrients, maximizing space

Carrots

Loosens soil with deep taproot and doesn't compete for surface nutrients

Marigolds

Deters aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes with natural pest-repelling compounds

Spinach

Compatible growth habits and helps suppress weeds around mustard greens

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties help prevent clubroot and other brassica diseases

Keep Apart

Tomatoes

Can stunt growth of brassicas and compete for similar nutrients

Strawberries

Allelopathic interactions can inhibit mustard green growth and development

Pole Beans

Heavy nitrogen fixation can cause excessive leaf growth at expense of quality

Nutrition Facts

Calories

31kcal(2%)

Protein

2.57g(5%)

Fiber

2.4g(9%)

Carbs

6.27g(2%)

Fat

0.34g(0%)

Vitamin C

91.3mg(101%)

Vitamin A

8mcg(1%)

Vitamin K

102mcg(85%)

Iron

0.69mg(4%)

Calcium

46mg(4%)

Potassium

303mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #747447)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good heat tolerance, moderate resistance to downy mildew and white rust

Common Pests

Flea beetles, aphids, cabbage worms, harlequin bugs

Diseases

White rust, downy mildew, black rot, clubroot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Southern Giant Curled mustard take to grow?▼

Southern Giant Curled reaches harvest size in 45-50 days from seed, but you can start harvesting baby leaves in just 30-35 days. The beauty of this variety is its extended harvest period – you can continue cutting outer leaves for 8-10 weeks if you keep the center growing point intact and provide regular nitrogen feeding.

Can you grow Southern Giant Curled mustard greens in containers?▼

Yes, Southern Giant Curled grows well in containers at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Use one plant per large container since these can spread 18-24 inches at maturity. Container growing actually helps control the intense heat these plants prefer, as you can move pots to optimal sun/shade locations throughout the day.

What does Southern Giant Curled mustard taste like?▼

Young leaves (4-6 inches) have a mild, slightly sweet flavor similar to spinach with just a hint of peppery bite. As leaves mature, they develop the characteristic sharp, peppery mustard flavor with pleasant bitterness that becomes more pronounced with cooking. The flavor intensifies significantly in hot weather.

When should I plant Southern Giant Curled mustard greens?▼

Plant in early spring 2-4 weeks before the last frost, then succession plant every 2-3 weeks through fall. In zones 7-9, you can grow it almost year-round. Summer plantings need afternoon shade in hot climates, while fall plantings often produce the best-flavored leaves as cool weather sweetens them.

Is Southern Giant Curled mustard good for beginners?▼

Absolutely – this is one of the easiest greens for new gardeners. It germinates quickly, tolerates poor soil and weather stress, and produces abundant harvests even with minimal care. The main beginner mistake is not thinning plants properly, but even overcrowded mustard greens still produce usable leaves.

How do you prevent Southern Giant Curled mustard from bolting?▼

Plant at appropriate times for your zone, provide consistent moisture, and harvest regularly to keep plants in vegetative growth. In spring, choose a location that gets morning sun but afternoon shade. Bolting is often triggered by sudden temperature swings or drought stress, so mulching and consistent watering help significantly.