Leafy Vegetables Edible Container Friendly

Everything You Need to Know About Mustard Greens — Care, Propagation & More

Your complete Filipino gardener’s guide to growing, caring for, and harvesting Mustasa — from seed to table.

Filipino Mustasa Scientific Brassica juncea
DifficultyEasy
📅
Days to Harvest30-45 days
🏡
ContainerYes
🌞
SunlightFull sun to partial shade
🍴

What Can You Eat?

Discover the edible parts and how Filipinos enjoy this plant in everyday cooking.

Edible Parts
🥬 Leaf 🌿 Stem
🍳
How It’s Eaten in Philippine Cuisine

Pickled into burong mustasa, sauteed with garlic, used in tinola, or raw as a wrap for grilled fish (paksiw). Slightly peppery flavor that mellows when cooked.

🇵🇭
Cultural Significance in the Philippines

Mustasa is the foundation of burong mustasa, a fermented Filipino delicacy especially loved in Pampanga. Often paired with bagnet or grilled fish. A staple of cool-season Filipino vegetable gardens.

🌱

Germination Guide

From seed to sprout — here’s what to expect and how to get started.

3-7 days
Days to Germinate
18-28°C
Ideal Temperature
Direct sow or seed tray
Method
Step-by-Step Timeline
1
Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in moist soil.
2
Keep soil moist; germinates quickly.
3
Thin to 25 cm spacing at 2 weeks.
4
Transplant if started in trays.
🪴

Planting Instructions

Everything you need to prepare — soil, spacing, depth, and the best Philippine planting months.

🪴
Soil Type
Loamy, fertile, well-drained
⚗️
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
↔️
Spacing
20-25 cm between plants
⬇️
Sowing Depth
0.5 cm sowing depth
🪣
Container Size
Minimum 10 L pot
📅
Best Season (PH)
October to February (cool dry season is ideal).
Philippine Seasonal Calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
M = recommended planting months
🌿

Propagation Methods

Learn the best ways to multiply your plants — from seeds to cuttings.

Seeds (Recommended)
Steps
1
Use certified seeds from East-West Seed or Allied Botanical.
2
Direct sow or in seed tray.
3
Thin out crowded seedlings.
4
Transplant strongest at 4 true leaves.
💚

Care Guide

Keep your plant happy and thriving with the right light, water, and nutrients.

🌞 Sunlight

Full sun to partial shade

💧 Watering

Daily; consistent moisture

🌱 Fertilizer

Compost at planting; foliar fish emulsion every 2 weeks

🌡️ Temperature

18-28°C (bolts in heat)

💨 Humidity

60-80%

🪨 Soil Maintenance

Mulch with rice straw.

🌾

Harvest Guide

Know when and how to harvest for the best yield and flavor.

30-45 days
Days to Harvest
👀
Signs of Readiness

Outer leaves are 20-25 cm long, deep green.

✂️
How to Harvest

Cut entire plant at base or pick outer leaves continuously.

⚠️

Common Problems & Solutions

Spot issues early and fix them fast.

Holes in leaves

Cause: Diamondback moth or flea beetles

Solution: Floating row cover; neem oil spray.

Bolting early

Cause: Heat stress

Solution: Plant during cool months; harvest promptly.

Yellow leaves

Cause: Nitrogen deficiency

Solution: Apply vermicast or fish emulsion.

Aphids

Cause: Aphid colonies on undersides

Solution: Spray strong water jet; soap-water mix.

🌻

Perfect Plant Partners

Plants that grow well together.