When to Plant Mizuna in Cairns, Tropical Guide

Sow April to July. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is April.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Mizuna guide is written for the Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Mizuna

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Mizuna is a fast-growing Japanese mustard green with distinctive feathery, serrated leaves and a mild, slightly peppery flavour. It is one of the easiest and fastest Asian greens to grow, ready to harvest as baby leaf in 3-4 weeks. More bolt-resistant than many Asian greens, it can be grown year-round in most Australian zones with successive sowings.

Planting Calendar for Tropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - S S/T/D S/T/D T - - - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Mizuna sowing time in Cairns?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Tropical zone right now, Mizuna included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 21.4°C (optimal range: 10–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Cairns), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Mizuna in Tropical Australia

When to Plant

March-August (dry season). More bolt-resistant than most Asian greens. Quick crop means it can sneak in a harvest even in marginal conditions.

Soil
Well-drained, fertile soil enriched with compost. Not fussy about soil type but performs best in loose, moisture-retentive ground.
pH Range
6.0-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun in cool weather. Part shade (afternoon) in warm weather to prevent bolting and bitterness.
Spacing
25cm apart, 30cm between rows
Watering
Keep consistently moist. Light, frequent watering suits shallow roots. Drought stress triggers bolting and bitterness. Drip or soaker hose ideal.

Companion plants: Lettuce, Radish, Carrot, Peas, Beans

Avoid planting near: Other brassicas if disease is present

Tropical Growing Tips for Mizuna

Recommended Varieties

  • Standard green mizuna
  • Purple mizuna (slightly more bolt-resistant)

Key Challenges

  • Flea beetles in warm weather
  • Bolts if day-length exceeds 13 hours
  • Fungal issues in wet season

Pro Tips

  • One of the best quick-crop Asian greens for tropical gardens
  • Harvest as baby leaf in 3-4 weeks before bolting
  • Succession sow every 2 weeks through dry season

Harvesting Mizuna

When ready: Baby leaf: 10-15cm tall (3-4 weeks). Full size: 30-40cm (5-7 weeks). Leaves should be bright green, fresh, and tender.

How to harvest: Cut-and-come-again: cut leaves 3cm above ground level and they will regrow 2-3 times. Or harvest individual outer leaves. Or pull entire plant for one large harvest.

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the tropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Cucumber and Basil.

The pest most likely to find your mizuna: Cabbage White Butterfly.

Get the Full Interactive Guide

Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.

Open the planting dashboard Join Garden Buddy

Common Questions About Mizuna

When do you plant mizuna in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does mizuna grow all year round in Cairns?

No. In the Tropical zone the planting months are Apr to Jul. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.