Black Mustard

Family: Brassicaceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Black Mustard to a garden.

Tender, peppery leaves arrive with a dark, velvety green sheen and a crisp snap that turns every harvest into a fresh, lively bite.

‘Black Mustard’ Mizuna forms an elegant rosette of finely cut foliage—frilly, upright, and richly flavored—ideal for stirring into quick sautés, blending into vibrant sauces, or pickling for tangy depth. Fast to mature in about 35 days, it’s a garden favorite for cool-season beds and repeat sowings that keep flavor at its peak.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 35 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Black Mustard Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	May 4th	May 25th	Jun 29th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 18th	Jun 22nd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 12th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 12th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 12th	Jun 16th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 12th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 6th	Jun 10th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jun 5th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Apr 27th	Jun 1st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	May 29th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 18th	May 23rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 13th	May 18th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 3rd	May 8th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Mar 25th	Apr 29th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 16th	Apr 20th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Feb 27th	Apr 3rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 2nd	Mar 9th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 5th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	35
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Black Mustard Mizuna’s frilly leaves hit you with a direct, peppery mustard snap and a dark, bitter edge that needs a little fat and acid to round out. Use it fast—heat it briefly or pickle it—so the greens keep their crisp fracture instead of turning soft and flat.

Best Uses

quick sautéed greens with garlic and a splash of vinegar for a hot-greens finish
stir through noodle or grain bowls while still crisp
whip into a punchy pesto-like sauce with nuts and olive oil
short-pickle for snappy, tangy mustard greens accent

Flavor Profile

peppery, mustard-hot bite fine, frilly crispness with a tender chew dark, slightly bitter edge that stays lively clean vegetal snap that plays well with fat

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon olive oil white miso toasted sesame oil chicken or pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if black mustard develops downy mildew or leaf spots?

Black mustard can get fungal leaf spots and downy mildew when foliage stays wet. Water at the soil line and avoid overhead watering, then remove and discard the worst affected leaves to improve airflow. If new spots keep appearing, spray a labeled copper-based fungicide according to the product directions (especially on leaf undersides) and stop spraying once you see steady improvement.

How often should I water black mustard during the main growing phase (weeks 2–5)?

Keep the top 1 inch of soil evenly moist from just after germination through harvest, especially in warm weather when mustard grows fast. Water about 1–2 times per week with enough depth to wet that 1-inch layer; if you’re in hot, windy conditions, you may need more frequent watering. Don’t let soil dry out completely between waterings, but also avoid soggy soil that encourages mildew—aim for “moist, not wet.”

How can I tell when black mustard is ready to harvest at about 35 days?

Harvest when plants are fully formed and the lower leaves look sturdy but before pods shatter—typically around 35 days from sowing depending on temperature. For leafy use, pick leaves when they’re large enough to eat and before the plants bolt heavily (young leaves have the best flavor). If harvesting seed, wait until the lower pods start turning yellow-brown and cut the stems before they fully dry and drop seeds, then finish drying indoors if needed.