Swollen-Stem Mustard
Brassica juncea tumidafam. Brassicaceae
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Pl. 2494 — Brassica juncea tumida
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IOverview
Overview
Swollen-Stem Mustard (Brassica juncea tumida), a member of the Brassicaceae family, is an annual forb/herb native to the North Caucasus and Transcaucasus regions. This plant is known for its distinctive swollen stem, which sets it apart from other Brassica species. Swollen-Stem Mustard thrives in moist conditions and can grow in light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils, with a preference for a pH between 6 and 7.2. It reaches a height of up to 0.8 meters and is best propagated by direct seeding outdoors, with seedlings thinned to about 15 cm apart. The plant is both edible and medicinal, with its edible parts including the flowers, leaves, and stem. These parts can be used in various culinary applications, such as condiments and oil production. Swollen-Stem Mustard is hardy in zones 6-9 and can serve as a cover crop, making it a versatile addition to gardens or agricultural plots. While the plant is not drought-resistant, it thrives in moist conditions and grows rapidly, making it a useful and attractive addition to any garden setting.
Quick answers
What is Swollen-Stem Mustard?
Swollen-Stem Mustard (Brassica juncea tumida), a member of the Brassicaceae family, is an annual forb/herb native to the North Caucasus and Transcaucasus regions. This plant is known for its distinctive swollen stem, which sets it apart from other Brassica species.
IV·bMixology suggestions
2 drafts
Mixology suggestions
2 draftsEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Digestive Harmony
digestiontincture
Historically used for digestive issues.
Skin Soother
skindecoction
Traditionally applied to soothe skin irritations.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Swollen-Stem Mustard (Brassica juncea tumida) thrives in light to medium soils and can tolerate heavier clay soils as well. It prefers a pH between 6 and 7.2 and requires moist conditions but is not overly demanding of water. The plant grows up to 0.8 meters tall and is best grown from direct seeds sown outdoors, thinning seedlings to about 15 cm apart. It is hardy in temperate regions with zones ranging from 6 to 9. This annual plant can be enjoyed for its edible leaves, stems, and flowers, making it a versatile addition to the garden.
Light
8/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
6-9
Life cycle
Annual
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.8 m tall
Soil pH
6–7.2
- Propagation
- Direct seed outdoors, thin seedings to 15cm apart
- Row spacing
- 3 cm
- Seed viability
- 3 to 7 years
For first-time growers
How to grow Swollen-Stem Mustard for the first time
8steps
Start with Swollen-Stem Mustard to gain experience in growing Brassica vegetables.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds, a garden plot or large container, soil, water.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant seeds outdoors after the last frost, when soil temperatures are above 10°C.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6 and 7.2; ensure containers are at least 30 cm deep.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct seed outdoors, spacing seeds about 15 cm apart; thin to the same distance once seedlings emerge.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged; monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Continue regular watering, especially during dry spells; fertilize lightly every 4-6 weeks with compost or well-aged manure.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune stems to encourage bushier growth and remove any yellowing leaves to prevent disease spread.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too close together, neglecting to thin seedlings, using chemical fertilizers, ignoring pest control.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeavesStem
Edible uses: Oil, Condiment
Other uses:Cover cropoil
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
2 native · 204 introduced
Distribution
2 native · 204 introducedDistribution across5 continents· 2 native· 204 introduced
Europe15 regions
native (1)Russia
introduced (14)AustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaFranceHungaryNorwayPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia23 regions
introduced (23)AfghanistanBangladeshCambodiaChinaGeorgiaIndiaIranIraqJapanKazakhstanKuwaitNepalOmanPakistanPhilippinesSaudi ArabiaSouth KoreaSri LankaTaiwanTurkmenistanUzbekistanVietnamYemen
Americas17 regions
introduced (17)BahamasBelizeBoliviaColombiaCosta RicaCubaDominican RepublicEl SalvadorFrench GuianaGuatemalaHaitiJamaicaNicaraguaParaguayPeruUnited StatesVenezuela
Africa20 regions
introduced (20)AlgeriaAngolaBotswanaComorosCôte d'IvoireDjiboutiEgyptGabonGuineaKenyaLibyaMalawiMauritaniaMauritiusMozambiqueRwandaSierra LeoneTanzaniaTunisiaZimbabwe
Oceania1 region
introduced (1)New Caledonia
Broader regions
native:Transcaucasus
introduced:Alabama, Alberta, Aleutian Is., Altay, Amur, Andaman Is., Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Arizona, Arkansas, Baltic States, Bermuda, Borneo, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, British Columbia, Buryatiya, California, Cape Provinces, Caroline Is., Central African Repu, Central American Pac, Chita, Colorado, Congo, Connecticut, Cook Is., Czechoslovakia, Delaware, District of Columbia, East Himalaya, Florida, Free State, Gilbert Is., Gulf of Guinea Is., Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Irkutsk, Jawa, Kansas, Kentucky, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., KwaZulu-Natal, Leeward Is., Louisiana, Maine, Malaya, Maluku, Manitoba, Marianas, Maryland, Masachusettes, Mexico Central, Mexico Northwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Guinea, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New South Wales, New York, New Zealand North, Newfoundland, Nicobar Is., Niue, Norfolk Is., North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Provinces, Northwest Territorie, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Queensland, Réunion, Rhode I., Rodrigues, Sakhalin, Saskatchewan, Society Is., South Australia, South Carolina, South Dakota, Sulawesi, Tadzhikistan, Tennessee, Texas, Trinidad-Tobago, Tuva, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Himalaya, West Virginia, Western Australia, Windward Is., Wisconsin, Wyoming, Zaïre
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Brassicaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Brassicaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
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Companion planting
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Growing zone
Native to
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