Wild Turnip
Brassica rapa campestrisfam. Brassicaceae
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Garden journal pausedUse profile notes below
Pl. 64BA — Brassica rapa campestris
Brassica rapa campestrisBrassica rapa campestrisBrassica rapa campestrisBrassica rapa campestrisBrassica rapa campestrisBrassica rapa campestrisBrassica rapa campestrisBrassica rapa campestrisBrassica rapa campestrisBrassica rapa campestrisBrassica rapa campestrisBrassica rapa campestrisBrassica rapa campestrisBrassica rapa campestris
IOverview
Overview
Wild Turnip (Brassica rapa campestris) is an annual forb or herb native to regions including Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Greece, Iran, and Iraq. This plant is known for its edible leaves and documented medicinal uses. Thriving in light, medium, and heavy soils with a pH range of 5 to 8, Wild Turnip is adaptable to various growing conditions. It can grow up to 0.8 meters tall and is propagated by direct seeding outdoors. Its distinctive features include a light energy requirement and a moist nature, contributing to its hardiness in zones 6-9. The plant's leaves are edible and can be used in culinary creations. While not recommended for medicinal use without professional guidance, Wild Turnip has been used traditionally for its potential health benefits. Its rapid growth rate and single crown growth form make it an interesting addition to gardens and landscapes.
Quick answers
What is Wild Turnip?
Wild Turnip (Brassica rapa campestris) is an annual forb or herb native to regions including Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Greece, Iran, and Iraq. This plant is known for its edible leaves and documented medicinal uses.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Digestive Comfort
digestiontincture
Traditional use for digestive issues.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Wild Turnip (Brassica rapa campestris) thrives in light to medium and heavy soils, preferring a sandy texture for best growth. It requires moist conditions but can tolerate varying soil pH levels between 5 and 8. This annual plant grows up to 0.8 meters tall and is best propagated by direct seeding outdoors. It prefers full sun or partial shade and is hardy in temperate regions with zones ranging from 6 to 9. Harvest the edible leaves for use in your culinary creations.
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
5–8
- Propagation
- Direct seed outdoors
- Row spacing
- 2 cm
- Seed viability
- 3 to 7 years
For first-time growers
How to grow Wild Turnip for the first time
8steps
Start with direct seeding outdoors for a simple and rewarding experience.
- 1
What you'll need
Wild Turnip seeds, a garden plot or large container, soil, water.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in late summer for fall harvests.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with well-draining soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy. Ensure pH between 5-8.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct seed outdoors in rows about 30 cm apart, with seeds spaced 2.5 cm apart. Cover lightly with soil.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil moist and thin out seedlings to 15-20 cm apart once they have grown a few leaves.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune any yellowing or diseased leaves to maintain plant health. Harvest outer leaves as needed.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overcrowding, not providing enough water, planting too late in the season, neglecting soil preparation.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: Oil
Other uses:oil
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
21 native · 202 introduced
Distribution
21 native · 202 introducedDistribution across5 continents· 21 native· 202 introduced
Europe25 regions
native (5)AlbaniaBulgariaGreeceItalyRussia
introduced (20)BelarusBelgiumDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia20 regions
native (6)IranIraqOmanPalestineSaudi ArabiaTurkey
introduced (14)BangladeshCambodiaChinaGeorgiaIndiaKazakhstanKuwaitNepalPakistanSouth KoreaTaiwanTurkmenistanUzbekistanVietnam
Americas16 regions
introduced (16)BoliviaColombiaCosta RicaCubaDominican RepublicEcuadorEl SalvadorGuatemalaHaitiHondurasNicaraguaParaguayPeruPuerto RicoUnited StatesUruguay
Africa15 regions
native (6)AlgeriaEritreaEthiopiaLibyaMoroccoTunisia
introduced (9)ComorosEgyptKenyaMauritiusMozambiqueRwandaTanzaniaUgandaZimbabwe
Oceania1 region
introduced (1)New Caledonia
Broader regions
native:Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Transcaucasus, Yugoslavia
introduced:Alabama, Alberta, Aleutian Is., Altay, Amur, Andaman Is., Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona, Arkansas, Baltic States, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, British Columbia, Buryatiya, California, Cape Provinces, Cayman Is., Chile Central, Chile North, Chile South, Chita, Colorado, Connecticut, Cook Is., Czechoslovakia, Delaware, District of Columbia, Falkland Is., Florida, Føroyar, Free State, Galápagos, Gilbert Is., Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Irkutsk, Juan Fernández Is., Kamchatka, Kansas, Kentucky, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Labrador, Leeward Is., Line Is., Louisiana, Magadan, Maine, Manitoba, Marianas, Marshall Is., Maryland, Masachusettes, Mexico Central, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New South Wales, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Newfoundland, Nicobar Is., North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Provinces, Northern Territory, Northwest Territorie, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Panamá, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Réunion, Rhode I., Sakhalin, Saskatchewan, Society Is., Solomon Is., South Australia, South Carolina, South China Sea, South Dakota, Tadzhikistan, Tasmania, Tennessee, Texas, Trinidad-Tobago, Tristan da Cunha, Tuamotu, Tuva, Utah, Vermont, Victoria, Virginia, Washington, West Himalaya, West Virginia, Western Australia, Windward Is., Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yakutskiya, Yukon
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
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 64ba8a9d-1c0a-4b43-a9dc-e8846257d06f
Decision aid
Choosing between Wild Turnip and something else?
Continue reading
❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates
Get archive updates
Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.
Newsletter returning soon.
We are rebuilding the update list around a lightweight editorial workflow. New dispatches will resume after the next content review cycle.