Heirloom

Mizuna

Brassica rapa var. japonica

Wikimedia Commons

Mizuna is a delicate Japanese mustard green with feathery, finely dissected fronds that create an elegant, frilly appearance. It matures quickly in just 18 days, making it ideal for fast-growing spring and fall crops. Unlike heavier lettuce varieties, mizuna's defining characteristic is its mild, slightly peppery bite paired with a tender, refined texture. The wispy leaves add visual interest and sophisticated flavor complexity to salads, stir-fries, and Asian dishes. Its heirloom status reflects generations of cultivation for its unique aesthetic and palate appeal.

Harvest

18d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to part shade

☀️

Zones

5–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Mizuna in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 lettuce →

Zone Map

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Mizuna · Zones 5–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing4-6 inches

SoilWell-draining loam, neutral to slightly acidic pH 6.0-7.0

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorMild, slightly peppery flavor with delicate, tender texture and a gentle bite.

ColorBright green

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	—	—	June – July	June – September
Zone 2	—	—	May – July	June – September
Zone 11	—	—	January – February	January – December
Zone 12	—	—	January – February	January – December
Zone 13	—	—	January – February	January – December
Zone 3	—	—	May – June	May – October
Zone 4	—	—	April – June	May – October
Zone 5	—	—	April – May	May – November
Zone 6	—	—	April – May	April – November
Zone 7	—	—	March – May	April – November
Zone 8	—	—	March – April	March – December
Zone 9	—	—	February – March	February – December
Zone 10	—	—	January – March	February – December

Succession Planting

Mizuna hits harvest in about 18 days and bolts fast once daytime highs push past 80°F, so succession planting is the only way to keep a steady supply. Direct sow every 14 days starting March 1 in zone 7; plan your last spring sowing around late April before the heat shuts things down. Pick back up in late August through October for a fall run — the plants are slower to bolt in cooling weather, and you can often stretch harvest into November with minimal effort.

Complete Growing Guide

Traditional brassica green of Japanese origin prized for its quick growth, productivity, mild flavor, and recognizable, serrated leaf shape. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Mizuna is 18 baby; 40 full size to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Organic Seeds, Plants, and Supplies, Cold Tolerant, Hydroponic Performer.

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: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Mizuna reaches harvest at 18 baby; 40 full size from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

The fruits dry and split when ripe.

Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Siliqua. Length: > 3 inches.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Spring, Summer

Edibility: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.

Storage & Preservation

Harvest mizuna at 18 days when leaves are tender and before bolting. Store freshly cut greens in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator's crisper drawer at 32–40°F with 90–95% humidity; they'll keep for 5–7 days. For longer preservation, blanch briefly (2–3 minutes) and freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to three months. Mizuna's delicate, slightly peppery leaves don't freeze as crisply as heartier brassicas, so use thawed portions in soups, stir-fries, or smoothies rather than fresh applications. Fermentation works well too—pack trimmed leaves with salt (2–3%) in a jar and let sit at room temperature for 1–2 weeks for a tangy condiment. Mizuna's thin, feathery foliage makes it prone to moisture loss, so avoid storing near ethylene-producing fruits like apples or tomatoes, which accelerate wilting.

History & Origin

Mizuna is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Brassica is a genus of plants in the cabbage and mustard family (Brassicaceae). The members of the genus are informally known as cruciferous vegetables, cabbages, mustard plants, or simply brassicas. Crops from this genus are sometimes called cole crops—derived from the Latin caulis, denoting the stem or stalk of a plant.

Advantages

+Extremely fast maturity at just 18 days from planting to harvest
+Distinctive feathery, serrated leaves add visual appeal and texture to salads
+Mild, slightly peppery flavor complements diverse cuisines and palates
+Highly productive plant yields multiple harvests through repeated cutting

Considerations

-Bolts quickly in hot weather, reducing leaf quality and edibility
-Requires consistent moisture; drought stress causes bitter, tough leaves
-Susceptible to flea beetles and other brassica-specific pests without protection
-Prefers cool seasons, limiting production during summer months in warm climates

Companion Plants

Radishes are the most useful companion here — direct sow a handful every couple of weeks alongside your mizuna and they'll draw flea beetles onto themselves. Chives and dill both suppress aphid pressure reasonably well, and dill pulls in parasitic wasps that work the whole bed. French marigolds are worth planting along the perimeter too; NC State Extension notes they help knock back soil nematode populations over time when planted densely. Skip the broccoli and other heading brassicas as neighbors — around here in the southeast, both crops are already racing a short cool window, and stacking them in the same 6 inches of bed compresses moisture and nutrients enough that neither does well.

Plant Together

Radishes

Break up soil for shallow mizuna roots and deter flea beetles

Carrots

Different root depths avoid competition and carrots repel some pests

Chives

Repel aphids and other soft-bodied insects that damage mizuna leaves

Marigolds

Deter flea beetles, aphids, and other pests that commonly attack brassicas

Spinach

Similar growing conditions and harvest times, efficient space usage

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for flea beetles and aphids, protecting mizuna

Lettuce

Compatible growing requirements and can be interplanted for succession harvests

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects that prey on pests affecting brassicas

Keep Apart

Broccoli

Competes for same nutrients and attracts similar pests like cabbage worms

Strawberries

May inhibit growth of brassicas through root competition

Tomatoes

Different water and nutrient needs, tomatoes may shade out mizuna

Nutrition Facts

Protein

0.742g(1%)

Carbs

3.37g(1%)

Fat

0.0738g(0%)

Vitamin K

20.5mcg(17%)

Iron

0.0332mg(0%)

Calcium

14.2mg(1%)

Potassium

139mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346388)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Cabbage moths, flea beetles, slugs, aphids

Diseases

Downy mildew, clubroot, white rust

Troubleshooting Mizuna

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings collapsing at soil level within the first 7–10 days after direct sow, sometimes with fuzzy white mold on the soil surface nearby

Likely Causes

Damping off — typically Pythium or Rhizoctonia spp. — a soil-borne fungal complex that thrives in wet, poorly drained beds
Replanting in the same bed where brassicas or lettuce have grown for 2–3 consecutive seasons, building up pathogen load

What to Do

1.Water in the morning only — letting the soil surface dry before nightfall cuts fungal activity significantly
2.If brassicas have occupied that bed the past few years, move mizuna to a fresh spot and rest the old bed for a full season
3.Thin seedlings to 4–6 inches so air moves between plants; crowded seedlings stay wet longer and go down faster

Small, ragged holes punched through leaves starting at the seedling stage, worst on the youngest growth

Likely Causes

Flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) — tiny, jumping, black or bronze beetles that feed heavily on brassica seedlings
Cabbage moth larvae (Mamestra brassicae) — larger irregular chewing damage, usually with dark frass on or near the leaf

What to Do

1.Cover beds with row cover immediately after sowing — mizuna germinates in 7–10 days and flea beetles can shred a stand before it gets going
2.For cabbage moth caterpillars, hand-pick in the evening when they're active, or apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) at first sign of larval feeding
3.Plant nasturtiums along the bed border — they won't eliminate flea beetle pressure, but they pull some of it off the greens

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Mizuna take to grow?▼

Mizuna is a fast-growing variety, reaching harvest maturity in just 18 days. Germination typically occurs within 7-10 days under proper conditions. This makes it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking quick results and multiple harvests throughout the growing season.

Is Mizuna good for beginners?▼

Yes, Mizuna is ideal for beginner gardeners due to its easy difficulty rating and rapid growth cycle. It tolerates a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade, requires minimal maintenance, and is forgiving of minor growing mistakes. Its quick harvest window also provides early success and encourages continued gardening.

Can you grow Mizuna in containers?▼

Absolutely. Mizuna's compact growth habit makes it well-suited for container gardening. Use a container at least 6-8 inches deep with drainage holes. Space plants 4-6 inches apart in containers and keep soil consistently moist. Container growing works well for small-space gardeners and allows for easy harvest and management.

What does Mizuna taste like?▼

Mizuna has a mild, slightly peppery flavor with a tender, delicate texture. The flavor is more subtle than other brassicas like mustard greens, making it versatile in salads and Asian cuisines. The serrated leaves add visual appeal and a pleasant, gentle bite without overwhelming spice.

When should I plant Mizuna?▼

Mizuna can be direct sown in spring after the last frost date for summer harvests, or in late summer for fall crops. It prefers cooler temperatures and can be planted throughout spring and fall. In mild climates, it may be grown year-round. Successive planting every 2-3 weeks ensures continuous harvests.

Is Mizuna a brassica or lettuce?▼

While often grouped with lettuces, Mizuna is botanically a brassica (Brassica rapa subspecies). Despite this classification, it shares lettuce-like qualities with tender leaves and mild flavor. It's sometimes called Japanese mustard greens, though its taste is considerably milder than traditional mustards.