How to grow Mibuna in New Zealand
Mibuna is a fast, vigorous Japanese green closely related to mizuna, with long, smooth, strap-shaped leaves and a mild mustard flavour. It is one of the quickest salad crops, ready as baby leaves in about a month, and regrows after cutting. It is at its best in the cool months, as heat makes it run to seed.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Mibuna in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | February to April, August to October | |
| Auckland | February to April, August to October | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | February to April, August to October | |
| Central North Island | February to April, September and October | Skip August in the central North Island. Hard frosts and cold soil stall seedlings, so start in September, under a cloche if you can. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | February to April, August to October | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | February to April, August to October | |
| Canterbury | February to April, September to November | Start spring sowings in Sep under a cloche or frost cloth, as frosts run to mid October. Keep sowing through Nov with steady watering. |
| Otago & Southland | October to March | Start spring sowings in Oct under a cloche or frost cloth, as frosts run to late October. Cool summers let you keep sowing through Nov to Jan. Make the last sowing in Mar so the crop is ready before winter growth stops. |
| Central Otago | February and March, October | Start spring sowings in Oct under a cloche or frost cloth, as frosts run into early November. Make the last sowing in Mar so the crop is ready before winter growth stops. |
Not to be confused with: Mizuna, its close relative, which has feathery, deeply cut leaves rather than smooth straps.
Where to plant
Grow mibuna in fertile, moist, well-drained soil in sun or part shade. It is a cool-season crop: it grows best in the mild weather of autumn and spring and bolts quickly in summer heat, so give it afternoon shade if you sow into warmer weather.
It is a brassica, so rotate it with the cabbage family and cover it against white butterfly in the warmer months.
- Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Wellington, and Nelson and Marlborough: sow from February to April and from August to October.
- Central North Island: sow from February to April and in September and October. Skip August, when hard frosts and cold soil stall seedlings.
- Canterbury: sow from February to April and from September to November, using a cloche for September sowings.
- Otago and Southland: sow from October to January and in February and March, with a cloche for October sowings. Cool summers let you keep sowing into January.
- Central Otago: sow in October under a cloche, and in February and March.
How to plant
- Sow seed direct about 6 mm deep. Seed germinates in about 7 to 14 days in soil of 15 to 20°C.
- For baby leaves, sow densely in a block or wide row. For larger plants, thin to about 15 cm apart.
- Keep the soil moist, and cover with insect mesh in warm weather.
- Sow a small patch every three to four weeks for a steady supply.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist; dry soil makes the leaves tough and hot and triggers bolting.
Feed every week or two with a liquid fertiliser for leafy vegetables to keep fast regrowth coming after each cut.
Harvesting
Cut baby leaves about four to five weeks after sowing, snipping about 4 cm above the soil so the plants regrow for several more cuts. Or let plants grow on and cut the larger leaves for cooking.
Use mibuna raw in salads or lightly cooked in stir-fries, soups and hotpots. It keeps three to four days in a sealed bag in the fridge.
Growing in pots
Mibuna is ideal for pots and troughs at least 20 cm wide. Sow densely, keep the mix moist, feed every week or two and cut often.
Varieties
- Mibuna
Companion planting
Mibuna is a quick salad crop that fits between slower vegetables.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Mibuna shares the pests of other brassicas. It is quick enough that a crop is often picked before pests build up.
Pests to watch for
- White butterfly Green caterpillars and ragged holes in the leaves, mainly spring to autumn.
- Slugs Seedlings and young leaves chewed overnight.
- Aphids Grey clusters under leaves and on the stems.
Mibuna is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
What is the difference between mibuna and mizuna?
They are close relatives. Mibuna has long, smooth, strap-shaped leaves, while mizuna has feathery, deeply cut leaves. Both have a mild mustard flavour and are grown the same way.
How do I harvest mibuna so it regrows?
Cut the leaves about 4 cm above the soil when they are baby-leaf size. The plants regrow for several more cuts.
Why has my mibuna gone to seed?
Heat, dry soil and lengthening days in late spring and summer make it bolt. Sow in autumn and early spring, keep it moist and give it some shade in warm weather.
When should I sow mibuna?
In most of the country, from February to April and from August to October. In Otago and Southland sow from October through summer, and in Central Otago in October and in February and March.
Can I grow mibuna in a pot?
Yes. It is one of the best crops for a pot or trough at least 20 cm wide. Sow densely and cut often.
Sources we checked: Kings Seeds NZ: Mibuna Green Spray; Yates NZ: How to grow mizuna (mibuna comparison); Tui: Lettuce growing guide (spring salad greens).