Mizuna 'Purple'

Family: Brassicaceae Leafy Green

Tender mizuna leaves in rich, wine-purple tones unfurl with a peppery, gently spicy bite and a crisp, succulent texture that holds its charm from first harvest to the next.

‘Purple’ forms an upright, leafy rosette with finely cut, feathery edges that look as good as they taste—ideal for fresh salads, quick sautéing, and vibrant additions to stir-fries and savory blends. Grow it for a deep color payoff and a lively flavor that brightens every bowl with a distinctive brassica snap.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 35 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Mizuna 'Purple'

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	May 30th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	35
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Purple mizuna brings a clean, peppery snap with enough tenderness to stay juicy rather than collapsing into mush—so it’s built for fast heat or restrained dressings. Its feathery leaf shape also makes it a great top-note green: it wakes up bowls without overpowering the rest of the cast.

Best Uses

raw salad bases where the leaves stay crisp under a light vinaigrette
quick sauté or stir-fry at the last minute for a bright, peppery wilt
wilted mizuna on top of warm grains or beans for contrast in texture
folding into omelets or fried rice at the end for a fresh spicy lift

Flavor Profile

peppery brassica bite gently spicy, arugula-like snap tender crisp leaves with juicy succulence slight green bitterness that plays nice when warmed

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic sesame oil soy sauce grilled chicken fried eggs

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects mizuna (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa), and how do I control it?

Cabbage worms (green/yellow larvae of imported cabbage moths) and aphids commonly show up on mizuna, leaving ragged leaves or sticky residue. Hand-pick larvae early in the day and spray a ready-to-use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) product or insecticidal soap for aphids, repeating every 5–7 days as needed. Keep the bed covered with fine insect netting once seedlings emerge to prevent new infestations.

How often should I water mizuna during the main growing phase?

Keep the soil evenly moist from sowing until harvest, because mizuna grows fast and dries out quickly in full sun. Water when the top 1 inch of soil feels just dry—usually about 1–2 times per week, but more often during warm spells—so leaves stay tender and don’t turn bitter from drought stress.

How can I tell when mizuna 'Purple' is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 35 days after sowing when leaves are usable and young—typically 4–6 inches long. You can take a few outer leaves at a time (cut-and-come-again), but avoid waiting until the plant forms a tall flowering stem, since mature leaves become more pungent and tougher.