Image: AI generated
Wild Mustard Plant Care
Sinapis arvensis L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Rhamphospermum arvense, the charlock, sometimes also called field mustard, wild mustard, or charlock mustard, is an annual or winter annual plant in the family Brassicaceae. It is found in the fields of North Africa, Asia, Europe, and some other areas where it has been transported and naturalised.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Wild Mustard?
Water Wild Mustard every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 3 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Wild Mustard Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Tunisia
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Wild Mustard?
Wild Mustard (Sinapis arvensis) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Sinapis genus. Wild Mustard is native to the fields of North Africa, Asia, Europe, and some other areas. Wild Mustard is also known as Charlock, Field Mustard, Charlock Mustard.
Wild Mustard displays an upright, branching herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Wild Mustard produces small yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Wild Mustard?
Sinapis arvensis requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Wild Mustard Need?
Wild Mustard thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Wild Mustard Prefer?
Sinapis arvensis grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Wild Mustard prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wild Mustard?
Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Wild Mustard to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Wild Mustard?
Feed Wild Mustard every 3 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 3 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Wild Mustard?
Annually in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Wild Mustard?
Wild Mustard can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white mustard plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Wild Mustard Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Wild Mustard, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Wild Mustard?
Wild Mustard is susceptible to cabbage worms, flea beetles, aphids. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Wild Mustard Need?
Wild Mustard grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Wild Mustard is native to the fields of North Africa, Asia, Europe, and some other areas.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Wild Mustard is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Sinapis genus — compare its care with other Sinapis species on PlantoScan.
Sinapis is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.
Wild Mustard thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sinapis arvensis L., family Brassicaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 668 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wild Mustard, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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