The wide culinary uses of the mustard plant make it a great addition to anyone’s home garden. Belonging to the Brassicaceae family, mustard has been cultivated for ages as its seeds are processed into different mustard products, and its leaves are enjoyed as delicious greens.

An annual plant, mustard can be botanically categorized in three groups: black mustard (Brassica nigra), brown mustard (Brassica juncea), and white or yellow mustard (Brassica alba or Sinapis alba). Greens from this superfood plant are packed with nutrients like calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Home gardeners can start planting mustard seeds during early spring or late summer, and enjoy the crops in delicious meals.

Common Mustard Types

In the United States, all three primary mustard groups are cultivated. Among these types of mustard, yellow mustard is the most prominent because its seeds are processed into prepared mustard.

Heirloom and Hybrid Mustards

Mustard can be categorized by heirloom and hybrid varieties.

Green Wave, Japanese Red Giant, Mizuna, Old Fashioned, Osaka Purple, Red Garnet, Red Giant, and Southern Giant Curled are excellent examples of heirloom mustard varieties. To be considered heirloom, a variety should be free from cross breeding for at least 40 to 50 years. Some of these mustard varieties are maintained as heirlooms by seed companies and universities. Traditionally, heirloom varieties are passed down from generation to generation among different ethnic, familial, or other social groups. Heirloom seeds are excellent for seed saving as they are true to seed, carrying the same traits as the parent plant.

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Green Boy, Green Giant, Market Mustard Mix, Miz America Mizuna, Scarlet Frill, and Summer Fest are results of deliberate cross breeding between two mustard varieties. Agriculturists can make improvements on disease resistance, flavor, growth, pest resistance, size, yield, and other traits in the resulting hybrid. As a result, hybrid mustard varieties are considered more suitable for commercial or large-scale farming.

Discover these mustard varieties commonly found in seed markets or grocery stores.

Types of Mustard Leaf Colors

Mustard leaf colors can range from green to purple and red. 

Types of Mustard Leaf Shapes

Every mustard variety comes in different shapes. Some mustard greens are broader than others. 

Types of Mustard Flavors

The mustard plant has a distinct, pungent flavor that can lend a punch to your meals. The taste of mustard greens are often compared to arugula and horseradish.

Types of Geographic Origins

There are conflicting claims on the geographic origin of the mustard plant. Research suggests that mustard plants have been grown from as early as 2500 to 1700 BC by the Indus civilization. In 2021, another set of researchers proposed the origins of mustard in Central Asia. 

Types of Culinary Uses

Typically used interchangeably with kale, spinach, and Swiss chard, mustard greens can be cooked or consumed fresh in salads. Mustard seeds are the primary component of the condiment, prepared mustard, with the black mustard group as the strongest in terms of pungency. 

Types of Disease Resistance

Some mustard varieties are more disease-resistant than others.

Types of Preferred Growing Conditions

Find the best mustard variety that suits your garden resources. Home gardeners with minimal space should consider container mustards for their compact growth. Cultivating mustards through hydroponics is also possible. 

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Broad and flat leaf shapes characterize these mustard varieties. Some varieties come with spoon-shaped leaves, while others are semi-savoy. 

Variety Description Lifecycle Days to Maturity Where to Buy
Florida Broadleaf  Florida Broadleaf is an incredible mustard variety with early-season growth. Under optimal conditions, its large leaves can reach up to 10 inches long with white, crisp midribs. Annual 48 to 53 days Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market
Japanese Komatsuna An Oriental mustard, this heirloom variety provides flavor similar to spinach. Apart from its reliable growth, Japanese Komatsuna can tolerate cold and heat, making it an excellent choice for your vegetable garden. The tender leaves can be enjoyed in recipes for salads like ohitashi, and soups like sukiyaki and yosenabe. Annual 30 to 50 days True Leaf Market
Japanese Red Giant In Japan, greens from this mustard are traditionally used for pickling. Cold tolerant and slow to bold, Japanese Red Giant has wide, semi-savoy leaves that offer mild peppery flavor. Annual (but can be grown as biennial) 60 to 80 days True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds
Red Giant  Red Giant is a cold-hardy Japanese heirloom with green, tender leaves. Leaves from this variety are lightly curled and tinged with burgundy at the edges. Expect peppery flavor and notes of sweetness from Red Giant leaves. Annual (but can be grown as biennial) 48 to 53 days Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market
Scarlet Red  Scarlet Red grows a rosette-like head with broad, red leaves. You can harvest this mustard variety early as microgreens or have them matured. Growing Scarlet Red can beautify your vegetable garden for its eye-catching red heads. Annual 45 to 50 days True Leaf Market
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These varieties tend to have crinkly, loose leaves. Because of their frilly nature, these mustard varieties tend to be more tender.

Variety Description Lifecycle Days to Maturity Where to Buy
Crimson Tide Often compared to the Ruby Streak variety, Crimson Tide yields purple to green-frilled leaves packed with a peppery flavor. This variety can be harvested as baby greens 20 to 25 days after sowing. Annual 45 to 50 days True Leaf Market
Frizzy Joe A cold-hardy variety, Frizzy Joe grows tender leaves with a mild mustard flavor. It boasts great field hold during maturity, but can be harvested as baby leaves after 27 days. Annual 35 to 40 days Territorial Seed Company
Frizzy Lizzy Like Frizzy Joe, Frizzy Lizzy grows an attractive bundle of deep-purple leaves.  Annual 35 to 40 days Territorial Seed Company
Miz America Mizuna  Miz America Mizuna is a hybrid mustard variety that produces frilled leaves with a dark burgundy color. This variety is an excellent choice for container planting. Annual 30 to 40 days Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market
Mizuna Mizuna is a productive variety, yielding jagged leaves on crisp, white stalks. It offers mild mustard flavor with sweet notes. Annual 40 to 45 days  Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market
Wasabina This Chinese heirloom mustard is known for its spice, which slowly fades during cooking. Wasabina mustard has resistance to frost and bolts slowly in hot temperatures. You can harvest this variety for baby leaves once they reach 3 inches tall or at full maturity when they reach 10 inches. Annual 40 to 45 days Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market
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If you’re having trouble with pest problems in your garden, consider planting these cover crop mustards. These varieties have been cultivated deliberately for home gardening and farm use and typically grow bright yellow flowers.

Variety Description Days to Germination Days to Maturity Where to Buy
Farmer’s Favorite Farmer’s Favorite is a reliable blend of mustard plant that grows colorful leaves with yellow flowers. It can reach 3 to 4 feet tall with a field coverage of 88%. It boasts weed control and allows early spring pollinators due to its longer flowering time. To enjoy these benefits, plant Farmer’s Favorite in early spring. Annual 35 to 45 days True Leaf Market
Mighty Mustard® Kodiak™ Developed at the University of Idaho by Dr. Jack Brown, Kodiak™ can reach 24 to 30 inches tall, growing an extensive taproot system and allowing the soil to loosen. This variety also has Sinigrin glucosinolate that prevents specific soilborne pathogens like Fusarium, Phytophthora capsici, Pythium, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Verticillium.  Annual 35 to 40 days True Leaf Market
Mighty Mustard® Pacific Gold™ With similar actions to the Kodiak™ variety, Pacific Gold also works as a biofumigant, repressing nematode-related problems and development of soilborne pathogens, specifically Charcoal rot, Fusarium, Phytophthora capsici, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Verticillium. Annual 35 to 40 days True Leaf Market
Mighty Mustard® Trifecta Power Blend™ Trifecta Power Blend™ primarily consists of a blend between Kodiak, Pacific Gold, and White Gold. It combines all the benefits of these cover crops into one optimum mix. Annual 35 to 40 days True Leaf Market
Mighty Mustard® White Gold™ White Gold™ is an effective biofumigant against nematodes and broadleaf weeds because of thiocyanate ion’s ability to inhibit germination. Annual 35 to 40 days True Leaf Market

FAQ About Types of Mustard

Which type is suitable for making prepared mustard?

Among the mustard family, seeds of white or yellow mustard (Brassica alba or Sinapis alba) have been traditionally used for producing the popular condiment, prepared mustard. These seeds are ground and processed with vinegar, water, and other spices. Prepared mustard is used in dips, marinades, salad dressings, and spreads.

Which mustard varieties are excellent as microgreens?

Mustard plants can be harvested before maturity. These baby greens can be mixed in salads, adding unique flavors and textures. Green Wave, Mibuna, Mizuna, Osaka Purple, and Southern Giant Curled are excellent mustard varieties for baby greens.



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