What hardiness zones is Brassica juncea 'Red Giant' suitable for?

Brassica juncea 'Red Giant' is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b.

What are the sun requirements for Brassica juncea 'Red Giant'?

Brassica juncea 'Red Giant' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Brassica juncea 'Red Giant' need?

Brassica juncea 'Red Giant' has Medium water needs.

Brassica juncea 'Red Giant', Red Giant Mustard Greens

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Vegetables

Brassica juncea 'Red Giant'

Red Giant Mustard Greens

Brassicaceae

Central Asia / Himalayan (B. juncea; Red Giant Japanese cultivar; large frilly savoyed purple-red; more pungent than Osaka Purple)

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2a - 9b

Zone 2a Zone 2b Zone 3a Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a Zone 7b Zone 8a Zone 8b Zone 9a Zone 9b

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Container Friendly

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Brassica juncea 'Red Giant' is an annual leafy green reaching 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall with a spread of 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) and an upright, loose rosette habit. A Japanese mustard green cultivar, it produces large, elongated, savoyed (crinkled/blistered) leaves 10-14 inches (25-35 cm) long with frilled margins—green heavily overlaid with deep purple-red. Larger and more vigorous than 'Osaka Purple' with a more pronounced peppery mustard flavor. Days to maturity 45-55 from direct sow (baby greens in 21 days). Growth rate is fast. Cool-season crop—bolts in sustained heat. The savoyed, frilly texture catches and holds salad dressings.

Native Range

Brassica juncea is native to Central Asia and the Himalayan region. 'Red Giant' is a Japanese cultivar.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—salads (baby), stir-fry, braising, kimchi, pickling. Large frilly savoyed purple-red leaves. Peppery mustard flavor. Japanese. Baby greens 21 days. Savoyed texture holds dressings. Cool-season. Bolts in heat. Not suitable for summer growing or mild-flavor preference.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Osaka Purple' by the larger size (18-24 versus 12-18 inches), the frilly savoyed (versus smooth round) leaves, and the more pungent flavor. Distinguished from red lettuce by the thicker, more substantial leaves and the mustard (versus mild) flavor. Red Giant mustard—large frilly savoyed purple-red leaves, peppery mustard, Japanese, larger than Osaka Purple.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Four-petaled yellow flowers on stalks when bolting. Bolting makes leaves bitter. Cool-season only. Harvest before bolting.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow; four-petaled; bolting only

Foliage Description

Deep purple-red over green; savoyed/crinkled frilly margins; elongated 10-14 inches

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

45-55 days (baby greens 21 days)

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost or in late summer for fall. Moist, fertile soil (pH 6.0-7.0). Succession sow every 2-3 weeks. Days to maturity 45-55; baby greens at 21 days. Bolts in sustained heat. Fall plantings often produce the largest, most deeply colored leaves.