Mizuna

Tender mizuna arrives with a peppery, gently mustard-bright bite and a crisp, leafy snap that stays pleasantly lively in the bowl.

The frilly, deeply cut leaves form an airy rosette that feels delicate yet resilient—ideal for quick harvests over a long cool-season window. Grow Mizuna for fresh salads and vibrant stir-ins, or let its lively flavor shine in quick sautés and savory greens blends.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 35 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
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)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Mizuna’s cut, frilly leaves stay crisp longer than most tender greens, but the peppery mustard bite softens quickly—perfect for a fast pan-wilt that keeps texture. Treat it like a leafy crunch with attitude: dress lightly or cook for mere minutes so it doesn’t turn flat.

Best Uses

raw salad mix where it stays lively under light vinaigrette
quick sauté or stir-in—wilt fast, keep some chew
wilted greens blend where the peppery note acts like a finishing herb
pan-to-bowl dressing greens for noodles and rice

Flavor Profile

peppery bite with mustard-bright edge crisp leafy snap and airy crunch gentle bitterness that turns sweet in heat

Kitchen Pairings

lemon sesame oil ginger soy sauce rice vinegar sesame seeds

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests commonly attack mizuna (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa) and how can I control them?

Mizuna is frequently targeted by flea beetles (small jumping holes in leaves) and cabbage loopers/diamondback moth caterpillars. Use floating row covers over seedlings and keep them on until you’re ready to harvest, then hand-pick any caterpillars you see. If damage starts, spray a targeted organic option like spinosad for caterpillars or use neem/BT per label directions to protect new growth.

How often should I water mizuna during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During the ~35-day growing period, keep soil evenly moist so leaves develop fast and stay tender—typically watering when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Aim for consistent moisture without pooling, because waterlogged brassicas can develop weak growth and rot. In warm weather, mizuna often needs more frequent watering (still checking the 1-inch depth) to prevent bolting.

How do I know when mizuna is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 30–35 days when leaves are large enough to eat—commonly around 4–6 inches long, with a good density of rosettes. Cut-and-come-again: harvest outer leaves first (leave the center growing point) to encourage a second flush. If you see flower stalks starting, harvest immediately for the best flavor before the leaves turn more bitter.