How to Grow Komatsuna in Australia
A cool-season leafy crop for the home garden
Growing your own Komatsuna is one of the more satisfying things you can do in an Australian backyard. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$3-4/bunch. Fast growing and recuts for weeks.
This guide covers when to plant Komatsuna in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Komatsuna is a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in February, March, April, May, June, July, August and September. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Komatsuna
Standard variety. Dark green, glossy leaves. Mild spinach-mustard flavour. Very adaptable.
Try: Eden Seeds, Green Harvest
Red Komatsuna
Purple-red leaves. Same mild flavour with visual impact. Adds colour to salads.
Try: Eden Seeds, Green Harvest
Position and Soil
Give Komatsuna part sun to light shade. It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 20cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed on the surface, barely covered. Thin or space plants to about 20 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 5 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 28 degrees.
Brassica rapa var. perviridis. Japanese mustard spinach. Mild, sweet flavour without the heat of western mustard greens. Extremely heat and cold tolerant. One of the most versatile Asian greens. Fast cropping, cut-and-come-again. Works in every Australian climate zone.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 4 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Flea beetle and Cabbage moth. The main diseases to watch are Clubroot. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Komatsuna is typically ready to harvest in roughly 5 weeks. Fridge in a sealed bag for 3-4 days.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, komatsuna is good stir-fried as the lead green, added fresh to salads, wilted into noodle soups and pickled Japanese-style with salt. Nutritionally: very high in calcium and rich in vitamins A, C and K.
Companion Planting
Komatsuna grows well alongside Lettuce and Beans. Keep it away from Brassicas (rotation). Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Komatsuna Growing
Add komatsuna to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Komatsuna in Australia?
Komatsuna is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in February, March, April, May, June, July, August and September. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Komatsuna take to grow?
Komatsuna is generally ready to harvest in roughly 5 weeks.
Can I grow Komatsuna in a pot?
Yes. Komatsuna grows well in a container of 20cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Komatsuna need?
Give it part sun to light shade for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Komatsuna in the Plant Library
