VegetableMustard green
Red Garnet Mustard
Leafy Green
Red Garnet Mustard is a fast-growing Asian mustard that matures in just 40 days, making it perfect for gardeners who want quick results without sacrificing flavor. This deep red variety thrives in full sun across zones 4 through 10, reaching a compact 12 to 18 inches tall with a mounding growth habit. You can harvest it as tender microgreens for delicate salads or wait until maturity for a more substantial green with a genuine spicy mustard bite that elevates any mixed greens blend.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Preferred Temp60-75°F
Growth Stats
18 in
Height
—
Width
18 in
Spacing
40–49
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual, Perennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4-10
Size
18in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual, Perennial
Care
High
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Highlights
What sets Red Garnet Mustard apart is its remarkable speed and striking appearance. The deep red coloration catches the eye in the garden and on the plate, while the intense spicy mustard flavor adds character to fresh salads. Its versatility as both a microgreen crop and a mature plant means you can harvest on your own timeline, and the compact mounding form fits easily into small spaces or containers.
Common Uses
Red Garnet Mustard shines in fresh applications where its spicy punch can shine without being overwhelmed by cooking. Harvest as microgreens to add peppery bite and visual drama to salads, grain bowls, and Asian noodle dishes. At full maturity, the leaves work beautifully in mixed green salads, stir-fries, and anywhere you want a bold mustard flavor with tender texture. The spicy character makes it especially valuable for gardeners who want to add complexity to simple greens without reaching for hot peppers or wasabi.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Spring
First Harvest
4-6 Weeks After Planting
Last Harvest
Early Fall
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Sow Red Garnet Mustard seeds directly into the garden in early spring after the last frost date, or in late summer for a fall crop. Plant seeds in moist, well-prepared soil in full sun and keep the soil consistently moist until germination and seedling emergence.
Harvesting
Red Garnet Mustard reaches maturity in 40 days, at which point the leaves have developed their deep red coloration and full spicy character. For microgreen harvesting, cut tender young leaves with scissors when they reach 2 to 3 inches tall, typically 7 to 10 days after sowing. For mature plant harvest, pick individual outer leaves once the plant reaches full size, or harvest the entire plant at the base. The leaves are most tender and flavorful when harvested in cool morning hours.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Brassica
Duration
Annual, Perennial
Growth Habit
Spreading
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)VI (I)CAN (I)
History & Origin
“Red Garnet Mustard belongs to a lineage of Japanese mustards that have been refined for flavor and color over generations. Its close relatives, Japanese Red Giant and Japanese Giant Garnet, share similar characteristics, suggesting a shared ancestry within Japanese vegetable breeding traditions that prize both visual appeal and bold taste. This domestically produced variety represents the continued evolution of these Asian greens for modern Western gardeners seeking faster-maturing crops with authentic spice.”