Crop type: Mizuna and Mibuna
Brassica rapa subsp. nipposinica var. laciniata ‘Kyoto’
Common name: Mizuna ‘Kyoto’
Crop slug: mizuna-mibuna
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile and its linked crop guidance. Check the sources and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Kyoto’ is a well-flavoured and very hardy mizuna selected for sowing throughout the year. It forms a compact loose rosette of finely divided, serrated green leaves with a mild peppery or mustard flavour. Young leaves are tender enough for salads, while larger foliage can be steamed or stir-fried.
Winter crops perform best under cloches or in an unheated greenhouse. Repeated small sowings and cut-and-come-again picking provide a long harvest from a limited space. The exact RHS plant record uses the botanical identity Brassica rapa subsp. nipposinica var. laciniata ‘Kyoto’; its name status is currently unresolved.
2 - Size
- Typical harvest height
- about 20cm
- Typical garden height range
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Typical spread
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Time to harvest
- about one month for baby leaves or six to eight weeks for a whole rosette
Space plants 10–15cm apart for repeated salad leaves, 20cm for larger foliage, or 30–40cm for mature rosettes. The compact habit also suits containers at least 30cm wide.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Chalk, clay, loam or sand
- Moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Preferred pH
- Neutral or alkaline
Grow in firm fertile soil enriched with garden compost or well-rotted manure. Consistent moisture keeps leaves tender and delays bolting, while drainage prevents the central rosette sitting wet in cool weather.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun or partial shade
- Exposure
- Exposed or sheltered where moisture can be maintained
- Hardiness
- Very hardy for an oriental salad green; protect winter crops for reliable quality
Use sun in cool spring and autumn weather, and light shade during hot summer spells. Although ‘Kyoto’ tolerates cold well, cloches or an unheated greenhouse protect leaves from severe weather and extend winter picking.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
The rosette carries many fresh to dark-green leaves, each deeply divided into narrow feather-like lobes with serrated margins. This lacy foliage distinguishes mizuna from the smooth narrow unlobed leaves of mibuna. Harvest plants before persistent flowering; the small yellow brassica buds and flowers are edible if they appear.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Habit
- Compact leafy rosette
- Name status
- Unresolved
Genus
Brassica includes annual, biennial and perennial plants with alternate leaves, long taproots and clusters of cross-shaped yellow or white flowers. The genus contains many food crops, including cabbages, turnips, mustards and mizuna.
Safety
Normal edible leaves, buds and flowers are used raw or lightly cooked. Wash harvested foliage thoroughly. Brassica leaves can irritate sensitive skin during repeated handling, so gloves may be useful if a reaction occurs.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Sow indoors in modules from February, or outside from March to August in drills about 1cm deep with rows 23cm apart. Seeds normally germinate within about a week. Thin according to the desired harvest size and protect seedlings with fine mesh from flea beetles and caterpillars.
Keep soil moist and water in the morning during dry spells. Sow little and often, use light shade in summer, and protect late crops under glass or cloches. Pick a few outer leaves while leaving the centre intact, or cut the whole rosette about 5cm above soil level to encourage regrowth.
Propagation
Propagate by seed. Module sowing reduces root disturbance and is especially useful for early and protected crops.
Suggested locations
- Raised salad bed
- Patio container
- Growing bag
- Unheated greenhouse
- Short-term gap between slower vegetables
Pruning
No pruning is required. Remove flower stems to delay the end of leaf production, and replace plants once bolting becomes persistent.
Pests
May be susceptible to flea beetles, cabbage caterpillars, pigeons, slugs and snails. Protect crops early with fine insect-proof mesh and suitable bird netting.
Diseases
Rotate with other brassicas and avoid waterlogged soil. Good spacing, clean cultivation and removal of declining plants reduce the risk of brassica diseases building up.