How to Grow Mibuna in Australia
A cool-season leafy crop for the home garden
Growing Mibuna at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$3-5/bag on Asian salad greens. Regrows after cutting.
This guide covers when to plant Mibuna 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
Mibuna is a cool-season crop, half-hardy (it takes light frost but not a hard freeze). 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
Mibuna
Standard Japanese variety. Smooth strap leaves. Milder than mizuna. Fast growing.
Try: Eden Seeds, Green Harvest
Position and Soil
Give Mibuna 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 15 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 5 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 25 degrees.
Brassica rapa var. nipponosinica. Japanese mustard green similar to mizuna but with smooth, strap-shaped leaves instead of frilly ones. Milder flavour than mizuna, almost sweet. Very fast growing. Cut-and-come-again harvesting. Excellent baby leaf salad green.
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. The main diseases to watch are Few. 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
Mibuna is typically ready to harvest in roughly 5 weeks. Fridge in a sealed bag for 3-4 days. Best eaten fresh.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, mibuna is good added fresh to salads as a baby leaf, stir-fried quickly with sesame, wilted into miso soup and mixed into grain bowls. Nutritionally: rich in vitamins A and C and contains glucosinolates.
Companion Planting
Mibuna grows well alongside Lettuce and Radish. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Mibuna Growing
Add mibuna 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 Mibuna in Australia?
Mibuna 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 Mibuna take to grow?
Mibuna is generally ready to harvest in roughly 5 weeks.
Can I grow Mibuna in a pot?
Yes. Mibuna grows well in a container of 20cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Mibuna need?
Give it part sun to light shade for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Mibuna in the Plant Library
