HeirloomContainer OK

Red Giant Mustard

Brassica juncea 'Red Giant'

A stunning Asian green with large, bronze-red leaves that add dramatic color to both the garden and the dinner plate. This vigorous heirloom variety provides continuous harvests of spicy, peppery leaves that mellow when cooked. Red Giant's bold appearance and robust flavor make it a favorite among adventurous gardeners and chefs.

Harvest

45-60d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

8–11

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 Red Giant Mustard in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 brassica →

Zone Map

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Red Giant Mustard · Zones 8–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing8-12 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic content

pH6.0-7.0

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonFall, Winter and Spring

FlavorSpicy, peppery, mustard bite when raw; milder and sweeter when cooked

ColorBronze-red to purple-red leaves with green undersides

Size8-12 inches long, 6-8 inches wide leaves

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 Red Giant leaves keep best stored unwashed in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper, maintaining quality for 5-7 days. The thick, substantial leaves hold up better than most greens, making them excellent for meal prep.

For preservation, blanch leaves in boiling water for 2 minutes, shock in ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in portions for up to 8 months. The robust texture survives freezing better than delicate greens. Ferment chopped leaves with salt (2% by weight) for a spicy Asian-style pickle that keeps refrigerated for months. Dehydrate young leaves at 95°F until crispy to create a peppery seasoning powder—grind dried leaves and store in airtight containers for up to a year.

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

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms and aphids

Onions

Repels cabbage moths, aphids, and flea beetles with strong sulfur compounds

Garlic

Natural pest deterrent against cabbage worms and root maggots

Marigolds

Repel flea beetles and cabbage worms while attracting beneficial predatory insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, drawing pests away from mustard

Lettuce

Provides ground cover and efficient space utilization without competing for nutrients

Carrots

Different root depths reduce competition and carrots may benefit from mustard's pest-repelling properties

Spinach

Compatible growing requirements and harvest timing, efficient garden space usage

Keep Apart

Tomatoes

Brassicas can stunt tomato growth and both attract similar pest problems

Strawberries

Mustard can inhibit strawberry growth and development through allelopathic effects

Pole Beans

Can create too much shade for mustard greens which prefer full sun exposure

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

Generally disease resistant, tolerates heat better than most mustards

Common Pests

Flea beetles, aphids, cabbage worms, harlequin bugs

Diseases

Downy mildew, white rust, black rot, clubroot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Red Giant mustard take to grow?▼

Red Giant mustard is ready for baby green harvest in 30-35 days, with full-sized leaves available in 45-60 days. You can begin cut-and-come-again harvesting once leaves reach 4-6 inches, then continue harvesting for 6-8 weeks before the plant bolts to seed.

Can you grow Red Giant mustard in containers?▼

Yes, Red Giant grows excellently in containers at least 8 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Use high-quality potting mix enriched with compost, ensure drainage holes, and maintain consistent moisture. Container growing actually helps control bolt timing by allowing you to move plants to cooler spots during heat waves.

What does Red Giant mustard taste like?▼

Raw Red Giant has a sharp, peppery bite similar to horseradish or wasabi, with a distinct mustard heat that builds on the palate. When cooked, the flavor mellows dramatically, becoming nutty and slightly sweet with just a hint of spice—similar to cooked collard greens but more complex.

When should I plant Red Giant mustard?▼

Plant Red Giant 2-3 weeks before your last frost date in spring, as it tolerates light frost. In hot climates, focus on fall planting 8-10 weeks before first frost. Succession plant every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest, but stop summer planting when temperatures consistently exceed 75°F.

Is Red Giant mustard good for beginners?▼

Red Giant is excellent for beginners due to its fast growth, pest resistance, and forgiving nature. It's nearly impossible to kill once established, grows in various conditions, and provides quick satisfaction with harvests starting in just one month. The main challenge is timing plantings to avoid hot weather bolting.

Red Giant vs regular mustard greens - what's the difference?▼

Red Giant offers superior heat tolerance, more dramatic coloration, and thicker leaves than common green mustards like Florida Broadleaf. The flavor is more complex—hotter when raw but sweeter when cooked. Red Giant also provides better ornamental value and longer harvest periods in most climates.