Tower mustard Plant Care

Tower mustard (Turritis brassica) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Turritis genus. Tower mustard is native to Europe, Western Asia. Tower mustard is also known as Hesperis brassica.

Tower mustard displays an upright, slender stem growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Tower mustard produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Tower mustard every 4–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Tower mustard thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Turritis brassica tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Tower mustard prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Tower mustard to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Tower mustard every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Tower mustard is suited to USDA Zone 5a – 8b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Tower mustard can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Tower mustard while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Tower mustard is hardy down to USDA zone 5a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Tower mustard can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to smooth rock cress plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Tower mustard is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Tower mustard grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Tower mustard is native to Europe, Western Asia.