How to grow Mibuna in Australia
Mibuna is a fast Japanese green in the cabbage family, with long, narrow, smooth-edged leaves and a light mustard flavour. It is a close cousin of mizuna and grown the same way: sown direct in the cool season and picked as a cut-and-come-again salad or stir fry green within about five weeks.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Mibuna in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | February to September | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | February to September | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | February to September | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to September | Sow Mar to Sep. Cold hardy and quick; pick as cut and come again. Summer sowings bolt. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to September | Sow Mar to Sep like mizuna. Fast cool season green; it bolts in summer heat. |
| Perth & WA | March to September | Sow Mar to Sep like mizuna. Fast cool season green; it bolts in summer heat. |
| Tasmania | August to March | Sow Aug to Mar. Cold-hardy Japanese green, excellent autumn-winter crop. |
| Canberra & ACT | February to April, September and October | Sow Feb to Apr for autumn and winter picking, or Sep to Oct for spring. Winter sowing fails in cold soil. |
| North Queensland | May to September | Dry season May to Sep. Sow little and often; it bolts once the build up starts. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to September | Dry season May to Sep. Sow little and often; it bolts once the build up starts. |
Not to be confused with: Mizuna, its close relative, which has feathery, serrated leaves instead of smooth strap-shaped ones.
Where to plant
Grow mibuna in sun or light shade, in fertile soil that holds moisture. Dig in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure before sowing. The plants are compact, so they fit between slower crops, along bed edges and in containers.
Mibuna grows best in mild, damp weather. Heat and dry soil make it run to flower quickly, so in warm areas grow it through the cooler months.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers and Sydney: sow from late summer to early spring. Winter sowings also miss the worst of the caterpillar season.
- Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth: sow from March to September; summer sowings bolt.
- Canberra: sow from February to April for autumn and winter picking, or in September and October for spring. Seed sown in cold winter soil fails.
- Hobart: sow from August to March; it makes a good autumn and early winter crop.
- North Queensland and Darwin: sow little and often in the dry season, May to September.
How to plant
- Sow seed thinly in shallow drills about 0.5 to 1 cm deep, with rows about 20 to 25 cm apart, and cover lightly.
- Water gently and keep the soil moist. Seedlings appear in about a week.
- Thin seedlings to 10 to 15 cm apart for regular pickings of small leaves, or to 30 to 40 cm for full-size plants.
- Sow a small batch every few weeks for a steady supply.
- Protect seedlings from slugs and snails in damp weather.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist, especially while plants are young and in dry or warm weather. Water in the morning where you can. Dry soil gives tough, hot-tasting leaves and early flowering.
Fast, leafy growth needs nitrogen. Dig in compost before sowing and side-dress with a liquid or nitrogen-rich fertiliser every couple of weeks while you are picking.
Pruning and care through the year
- Weed regularly so young plants are not crowded or shaded.
- Give light shade in warm spells and pick often to delay flowering. Remove flower stems as they form.
- Cover young plants with insect mesh if cabbage white butterflies or flea beetles are about.
Harvesting
Start picking baby leaves once plants are 8 to 10 cm tall, in about four to five weeks. Take a few outer leaves from each plant so it keeps growing; you can get several pickings before it flowers.
Or cut the whole plant at six to eight weeks, about 5 cm above the soil, and it will usually regrow. Once the plant starts to flower the leaves soon deteriorate, so harvest it all if it still tastes good.
Growing in pots
Mibuna grows well in a pot or trough at least 20 to 30 cm wide, filled with good potting mix. Containers dry out quickly, so water often and keep pots in light shade in warm weather.
Using it
Use young leaves raw in salads. Larger leaves have a stronger flavour and are best lightly steamed or stir fried. The flower buds and flowers are edible too. Leaves keep only a few days in a sealed bag in the fridge, so pick close to eating.
Varieties
- Mibuna
Companion planting
Mibuna is quick and compact, so it is useful for filling gaps between slower crops and is picked before they need the room.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
As a member of the cabbage family, mibuna shares the usual brassica pests, which are worst in warm weather.
Pests to watch for
- Flea beetle Tiny jumping beetles that pepper the leaves with small round holes, mainly on young plants in warm, dry weather.
- Cabbage white butterfly Green caterpillars and holes in the leaves. Cover with insect mesh or pick off caterpillars.
- Slugs and snails (slugs and snails) Ragged holes and slime trails on seedlings in damp weather.
Mibuna is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
What is the difference between mibuna and mizuna?
They are close relatives grown the same way. Mibuna has long, narrow, smooth-edged leaves and a light mustard flavour. Mizuna has feathery, serrated leaves and a mild peppery taste.
Why is my mibuna bolting?
Heat, dry soil and lengthening days make mibuna flower early. Grow it in the cooler months, keep the soil moist, give light shade in warm spells and pick often.
How do you harvest mibuna?
Pick a few outer leaves from each plant once they are 8 to 10 cm tall, or cut the whole plant about 5 cm above the soil and let it regrow.
Can you eat mibuna raw?
Yes. Young leaves are good raw in salads. Larger leaves are stronger and better lightly cooked in stir fries or soups.
Can mibuna grow in a pot?
Yes. It is compact and fast, and grows well in a pot or trough at least 20 to 30 cm wide. Water often, as pots dry out quickly.
Sources we checked: RHS: How to grow mizuna and mibuna; Gardenate: Growing mizuna and mibuna in Australia; Green Harvest: Mibuna.