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Mizuna Red Leaf Mustard is a Japanese mustard green with striking red foliage and a pleasantly spicy bite that grows quickly from seed to harvest in just 40 to 49 days. Unlike its more delicately divided cousin regular mizuna, this variety has broader, less frilly leaves while retaining that characteristic peppery heat. Hardy across zones 2 through 10, it reaches 18 to 24 inches tall and thrives in full sun, making it an accessible choice for gardeners new to Asian greens who want impressive results fast.
Full Sun
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2-10
24in H x ?in W
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High
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The red leaf stands out as a less divided but equally flavorful take on traditional mizuna, bringing both visual interest and genuine spice to the garden. Its rapid growth cycle means you can be harvesting tender leaves in under seven weeks, while its compact spacing requirement of just 6 inches apart allows you to grow surprising abundance in small spaces. The variety shines as a microgreen, where its prolific seed count of roughly 18,000 seeds per ounce makes it economical and rewarding for those exploring indoor growing.
Fresh mizuna Red Leaf works beautifully in salads, where its spicy kick enlivens milder lettuces, or cooked briefly in stir-fries where its heat mellows into a pleasant warmth. The tender young leaves are particularly suited to raw applications, while mature foliage stands up well to brief cooking. It excels as a microgreen, where its prolific germination and rapid growth make it a commercial and home-growing favorite.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow mizuna Red Leaf seeds directly into the garden bed or container where you want them to grow. Space seeds appropriately and thin seedlings to 6 inches apart once they develop their first true leaves.
Begin harvesting mizuna Red Leaf at 40 to 49 days after sowing, or pick individual leaves earlier for tender microgreens and delicate salad applications. Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued growth and prevent the plant from bolting. Use clean scissors or a knife to snip leaves just above the base, leaving the growing center intact to support repeated harvests.
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“Mizuna Red Leaf Mustard emerges from Japan's long tradition of cultivating distinctive mustard greens, where mizuna has been refined over centuries into a beloved culinary staple. The red leaf selection represents a modern refinement of that heritage, breeding for broader leaf structure and vibrant coloration while preserving the spirited flavor that makes Japanese mustards distinctive in global cuisines.”