White Mustard
Sinapis alba
Also known as
Yellow Mustard
Photo by Fabmax (All rights reserved)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Half-hardy
H3
RHS hardiness
-5°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
50cm | Max | 90cm |
30cm | Min | 70cm |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
More images of White Mustard
White Mustard Overview
White Mustard, also known as Sinapis alba and previously as Brassica alba and Brassica hirta. This plant is part of the cabbage family and is grown mainly for its seeds and as a green manure. It is a cool-season, hardy annual that will suppress other weeds if grown in mass. White Mustard seeds are mixed with Black Mustard seed to make English mustard.
Common problems with White Mustard
White Mustard Companion Plants
How to harvest White Mustard
Sprouts can be harvested within 8 - 10 days after sowing. Seed pods must be picked before they open. Mustard flowers are also edible.
How to propagate White Mustard
Seed
Sow in situ from early spring to late summer and thin out later. Germination in about a week.
Special features of White Mustard
Crop rotation
When ploughed back into the ground, it improves the soil in orchards and vineyards by providing nitrogen to the earth (green manure).
Other uses of White Mustard
Culinary
Medicinal
The same properties as with Brassica nigra, but less potent. Seldom used internally in the West, but popular in the East for treatment of coughs, arthritis, fungus and as a poultice.
Edible
Seeds produce oil, spice and flour, which is used in herbal medicine. Young leaves and sprouted seeds used in salads. Used for animal feed, but NOT after it has flowered and developed fruit.
Green manure
Used as a green manure as it is fast growing to cover your soil.