Red Giant

Family: Brassicaceae Leafy Green

Tender, vividly red-tinged leaves unfurl with a peppery snap and a gentle, mustard-like brightness that lingers pleasantly on the palate.

Red Giant mizuna forms a lush rosette of frilly, ribbon-edged foliage with a crisp, succulent texture—ideal for quick stir-fries, hearty sautés, and vibrant fresh salads, and it also shines in savory sauces and quick pickles for a bold color pop. Reach for this fast 40-day favorite when you want dramatic greens that look as good as they taste.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Rosette

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 18th
Harvest Begins	May 28th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	40
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Giant mizuna gives you a crisp, peppery crunch with a mustard-like lift, so it doesn’t behave like delicate lettuce—it stays lively in heat and in dressings. I like it most when you move fast: short cooking or bright acid keeps the snap and the frilly leaves looking (and tasting) bold.

Best Uses

quick stir-fry where it stays crisp and emerald-red at the edges
hot sauté with garlic and a splash of soy to keep the bite intact
fresh salads where it stands up to vinaigrettes without collapsing
fast pickles or quick kimchi-style ferments for a hot-pink color pop

Flavor Profile

peppery snap with gentle mustard brightness tender, crisp-succulent leaves that hold structure mildly brassy finish that lingers but doesn’t get soapy

Kitchen Pairings

sesame oil soy sauce garlic ginger lemon hard cheeses like parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly hits arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa) and how can I treat it at home?

Arugula is commonly damaged by flea beetles, which leave tiny pitted holes in leaves. Protect seedlings with row cover until plants are established, then use insecticidal soap for spot treatments when beetles are actively feeding. If you see pale, mottled leaves or webbing, check under leaves for spider mites and rinse plants well, repeating as needed over 1–2 weeks.

How often should I water red giant arugula during peak growth, and what soil moisture level is ideal?

During the main leaf-growing phase, keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Let the top 1/2 inch (1 cm) of soil dry slightly between waterings to avoid soggy conditions, but don’t let the root zone fully dry because arugula will turn bitter and bolt faster. Mulch lightly to reduce moisture swings and maintain steady growth.

How do I know when red giant arugula is ready to harvest?

Harvest when leaves are tender and about 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) long, typically around 35–40 days from sowing. For best flavor, pick outer leaves first and leave the center to regrow, or harvest the whole plant at the 40-day mark for a single cutting. If plants start stretching and producing flower stalks, leaves become sharper and more bitter—harvest immediately to catch the best quality.