Growing Mustard greens, also gai choy

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
P P P P P P P P P P P P

(Best months for growing Mustard greens in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 14 - 24 inches apart
  • Harvest in 5-8 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, camomile)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chilli, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry
  • Leaf mustard
  • Red Japanese mustard

Green leafy plant, popular for Asian cooking.

Grow fast with plenty of water and regular feeds of liquid manure to avoid bitterness. Pick young.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Mustard greens

Use young leaves in salad for a 'spicy kick'. Add to stir fry.

Your comments and tips

04 Jun 23, Carole liddell (Australia - temperate climate)
They don’t sell mustard greens in any supermarket or grocery store near me - what is the next best thing to it.
07 Jun 23, deidre (Australia - arid climate)
Kale or chard would work, as would bok choi / pak choy. Mustard greens are very fast and very easy to grow in pots or the ground, you only harvest what you need, a few leaves at a time.
18 Sep 22, Abby Naidoo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
You can purchase mustard seeds at any grocery store. Plant in a sunny spot. in a short time you will have mustard greens.
30 Apr 22, harry shapiro (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would like to pant Coriander , mustard and origanum seedlings in my garden which has very little sun . When is the best time to plant?
02 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Most plants need a fair bit of sunlight. Check the planting guide at the top of the page for each of these.
17 Apr 22, Barb (USA - Zone 11a climate)
Can mustard greens be grown in zone 11 and when should seeds be planted?
21 Apr 22, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
By the planting guide here no.
22 Feb 22, Manjeet (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it okay to use the Mustard seeds used cooking for planting, red or yellow?
24 Feb 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try it and see what happens.
17 Dec 20, Steve (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi There Where can l get Gai bok choy or mustard green seeds in South Africa Kind Regards Steve
Showing 1 - 10 of 57 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Mustard greens

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.