Growing Guide
 
plant thumbnail

Mizuna

Vegetable (Cool Season) - Cabbage Family

Also known as kyona
Brassica rapa var. Japonica
Brassicaceae Family
Synonym: Brassica rapa nipposinica

This Asian green is prized for its mild flavor in salads and stir fries, heat- and cold-tolerance, and fine leaves that form an attractive rosette.

arrow
arrow
arrow
Site Characteristics
Sunlight:
  • full sun
  • part shade

Soil conditions:

  • requires well-drained soil
Though not as demanding as many cole crops, prefers well-drained, fertile soil high in organic matter, pH 6.0 to 7.5. Can tolerate slightly alkaline soil.
Plant Traits

Lifecycle: annual

Ease-of-care: easy

Foliage color: medium green

Has contrasting white petioles and veins.

Foliage texture: fine

Deeply cut, fern-like leaves form an attractive rosette.

Shape: cushion, mound or clump

Special Considerations
Tolerates:
  • frost
Special uses:
  • edible landscaping
Growing Information
How to plant:

Propagate by seed

Germination temperature: 45 F to 85 F - Will germinate at soil temperatures as low as 40 F.

Days to emergence: 4 to 7

Seed can be saved 4 years.

Maintenance and care:
From early spring to late summer, sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep, 1 inch apart in rows 18 inches apart. Thin to 6-inch spacings.

Plant every 2 weeks for continuous harvest.

Use floating row covers to help protect from early insect infestations.

To help reduce disease, do not plant mizuna or other cole crops in the same location more than once every three or four years.

Pests:
Flea beetles
White flies
Aphids

Mizuna generally suffers less insect damage than other cole crops. Use floating row covers to prevent early season infestations.

Diseases:
Not as susceptible to diseases that often plague other cole crops.
Varieties