Black Mustard is a winter annual in the Mustard family (Brassicaceae) native to Europe, Africa and Asia. It was introduced to the Pacific western states and has since become invasive there and in MI. The genus name is Latin for cabbage and the specific epithet is Latin for black referring to the black seeds. This plant will grow 2-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide and prefers a Mediterranean-type climate. They do best planted in the fall when the weather cools in moist amended well-drained soil. It will not do well in hot weather. The large leaves get smaller as they ascend the stem. In spring the plant will produce a cluster of yellow four-petaled flowers. Seed pods follow that split and contain black and dark brown seeds. It may cause contact dermatitis for some. The leaves, seeds, flowers and stems of this plant are edible and have a pungent spicy flavor. The leaves can be cooked or eaten raw in salads. The stems can be prepared and eaten like broccoli. The seeds can be ground into a powder for flavoring or to make hot mustard. Grow in the edible garden or in a container. Grown commercially for the production of various mustards. Click here to see a calendar of planting schedules, time-to-harvest, and recommended spacing. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Weedy. See pests of crucifers to the left.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Obovate
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves can reach lengths of up to 10", and widths of 3-4". As they ascend up the stem, they will not be as large. The lower leaves are lobed and obovate, while the upper leaves can be lanceolate or elliptic. The upper surface of the lower leaf is typically bristly with scatter, stiff, short, white hairs. The underside is typically smooth, but will have a few hairs along the central vein.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Long Bloom Season
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Blooming on racemes up to 2' long, the 1/3" yellow flowers each have 4 petals. They can bloom for up to 2 months.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Black; Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Siliqua
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
After the flower blooms, it is replaced by a narrow seedpod that will become pressed up against the stalk. The seedpod is about 2/3" long and becomes tapered. They dry and split when ripe. Seeds are black or dark brown
Stem color
Gray/Silver; Green
Stem detail
The stems are a dull gray/green, typically branchless. They are smooth, but may have scattered stiff hairs at the base.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe, China, Africa
Wildlife value
The plant is pollinated by bees and flies. Butterflies may eat the foliage. Wasps may occasionally visit this plant.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Play value
Attracts Pollinators; Edible fruit
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Leaves; Seeds; Stems
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Siliqua
Edibility
The leaves, seed and stem as well as the plants oils are edible.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
Edible Garden
Garden tags
#allelopathic #fly friendly #self-fertile #edible leaves #edible stems #edible seeds #aggressive #bee friendly #contact dermatitis #problem for children #problem for horses #weedy #cool season vegetable #high maintenance #edible
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Pests of Crucifers
Problems
Allelopathic; Contact Dermatitis; Problem for Children; Problem for Horses; Weedy