Best Mustard Green Varieties to Grow in Your Garden

[Stephen Albert]

Growing mustard greens in your garden is rewarding—they’re fast-growing, nutritious, and versatile in the kitchen. Over the years, I’ve experimented with many varieties, and I’ve learned which ones thrive in home gardens while providing great flavor and texture. Here’s a guide to the best mustard greens to plant this season.

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1. Southern Giant Curled​

• Type: Curled leaf
• Flavor: Bold, spicy, traditional mustard taste
• Why Grow It: Fast-growing, hardy, ideal for braising or sautéing

2. Red Giant​

• Type: Curled leaf
• Flavor: Medium spice, slightly sweet, earthy undertone
• Why Grow It: Adds color to salads, grows well in cool or warm climates

3. Green Wave​

• Type: Curled leaf
• Flavor: Zesty, peppery, robust
• Why Grow It: Excellent for stir-fries and soups, withstands heat better than some other types

4. Tendergreen​

• Type: Plain leaf
• Flavor: Mild, tender, slightly sweet
• Why Grow It: Perfect for baby greens and salads; quick to harvest

5. Florida Broadleaf​

• Type: Plain leaf
• Flavor: Mild to medium heat, juicy
• Why Grow It: Reliable, versatile, ideal for both raw and cooked dishes

6. Mizuna (Japanese Mustard)​

• Type: Frilly/feathery leaf
• Flavor: Mild peppery tang
• Why Grow It: Great for mixing with other greens, delicate flavor ideal for fresh salads

7. Osaka Purple​

• Type: Curled leaf
• Flavor: Medium spice, earthy
• Why Grow It: Adds vibrant color and texture to both salads and cooked dishes

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My Experience​

In my experience, planting a mix of plain leaf and curled leaf varieties ensures a continuous harvest and variety of flavors. I often plant Tendergreen and Mizuna for tender baby leaves, alongside Southern Giant Curled or Red Giant for bold, hearty greens. Choosing varieties suited to your climate and taste preferences makes all the difference in both yield and enjoyment.

Best Mustard Green Varieties: Quick Reference​

Variety	Leaf Type	Flavor	Best Uses
Southern Giant Curled	Curled	Bold, spicy, traditional mustard	Braising, sautéing
Red Giant	Curled	Medium spice, slightly sweet	Salads, stir-fries
Green Wave	Curled	Zesty, peppery, robust	Stir-fries, soups
Tendergreen	Plain	Mild, tender, slightly sweet	Salads, baby greens
Florida Broadleaf	Plain	Mild to medium heat, juicy	Raw or cooked dishes
Mizuna	Frilly/feathery	Mild peppery tang	Salads, mixed greens
Osaka Purple	Curled	Medium spice, earthy	Salads, cooked dishes

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