Brassica juncea aka Mustard Greens

Taxonomy

Brassica juncea, commonly known as brown mustard, Chinese mustard, Indian mustard, leaf mustard, Oriental mustard, and vegetable mustard, is an annual herb native to southern and eastern Asia. It has been cultivated for centuries in Europe and Asia and has given rise to a variety of leafy vegetables popular in eastern Asia, such as Chinese mustard greens and Japanese mizuna. This plant features evergreen leaves with a wavy or toothed edge, larger lower leaves on stalks, and smaller narrow upper leaves. Its yellow flowers develop into long green pods containing brown seeds. All parts of the plant are edible when young, and the leaves are commonly added raw to salads or boiled before consumption. Growing up to 1-2 feet tall, it has petiolate basal leaves with lobes and smaller stem leaves. The bright yellow flowers, although not visually appealing, mature to 1.5 inches long. Apart from its use as a vegetable, the pungent seeds of Brassica juncea are used to flavor various dishes, and its seed oil is popular for cooking in Asia. However, this plant has gained a reputation as an invasive weed outside of its cultivated areas and is listed as invasive in several regions, including Michigan, Florida, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Americas, and many Pacific Islands.

Common names

Mustard Greens, India Mustard, Oriental Mustard

How to care for Mustard Greens

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Mustard Greens is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Mustard Greens should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Mustard Greens loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Mustard Greens requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your India Mustard is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Mustard Greens to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Humidity

The Mustard Greens does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

The Mustard Greens grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Mustard Greens as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Mustard Greens’s native range is Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and temperate Asia.


More info:
Wikipedia