Brassica rapa perviridis
Brassica rapa perviridis
Safety & Hazards
The oil contained in the seed of some varieties of this species can be rich in erucic acid which is toxic. However, modern cultivars have been selected which are almost free of erucic acid.
Cultivation Details
Mustard Spinach is a very hardy plant. Although knocked back, it has withstood temperatures down to about -14°c and can be cropped for most of the year[1]. Succeeds in full sun in a moisture-retentive well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[2, 1]. Prefers a cool moist reasonably fertile soil[3]. The plant is somewhat deeper rooted than many of the oriental brassicas and is more tolerant of drought, though it grows best if it is not short of water[1]. There are many named varieties[1]. It takes 55 - 80 days for plants to reach maturity from sowing[1]. Plants are much less likely to bolt from a spring sowing and are fairly resistant to summer heat[1].
Propagation
Seed - sow in situ mid spring to September[1]. Some varieties can also be sown in a cold greenhouse in late autumn, winter or early spring to provide leaves overwinter and in late spring. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Brassica+rapa+perviridis>
Pollinators
Bees, Self
References
- [1]Oriental Vegetables — Larkcom J. · John Murray · 1991 · ISBN 0-7195-4781-4 ↩︎Well written and very informative.
- [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [3]Salads all the Year Round. — Larkcom. J. · Hamlyn · 1980 ↩︎A good and comprehensive guide to temperate salad plants, with full organic details of cultivation.