Repotting guide

When & how to repot Indian Mustard 'Tendergreen' (Brassica juncea 'Tendergreen')

Also called Tendergreen mustard spinach, komatsuna-type mustard.

More about indian mustard 'tendergreen'

About Indian Mustard 'Tendergreen'

Brassica juncea 'Tendergreen' · also called Tendergreen mustard spinach, komatsuna-type mustard · edible

'Tendergreen', also called mustard spinach, is a vigorous, smooth-leaved mustard grown for mild, spinach-like greens. Quick to mature in about 40 days, it tolerates heat and cold better than most mustards and resists bolting. Sow in succession for tender salad leaves or cooked greens through spring, autumn, and into mild winters.

Mature size: 25-35 cm tall and wide at maturity; harvest baby leaves from 10-15 cm

How to tell indian mustard 'tendergreen' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For indian mustard 'tendergreen', watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot indian mustard 'tendergreen'

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Indian Mustard 'Tendergreen''s growth habit — upright clump of broad, smooth, glossy oval leaves on pale stalks; fast, productive, and slow to bolt. — sets the pace. 'Tendergreen', also called mustard spinach, is a vigorous, smooth-leaved mustard grown for mild, spinach-like greens. Quick to mature in about 40 days, it tolerates heat and cold better than most mustards and resists bolting. Sow in succession for tender salad leaves or cooked greens through spring, autumn, and into mild winters.

What size pot to step indian mustard 'tendergreen' up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Indian Mustard 'Tendergreen' stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot indian mustard 'tendergreen'

Spring or summer, while indian mustard 'tendergreen' is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting indian mustard 'tendergreen'

Repot dry. Do not water indian mustard 'tendergreen' for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty fertile, well-drained loam high in organic matter, ph 6.0-7.5 ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set indian mustard 'tendergreen' at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep indian mustard 'tendergreen' completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for indian mustard 'tendergreen'

Indian Mustard 'Tendergreen' wants fertile, well-drained loam high in organic matter, ph 6.0-7.5. Dig in compost before sowing. Loose, nutrient-rich soil supports the rapid, succulent leaf growth that gives 'Tendergreen' its name. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting indian mustard 'tendergreen' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot indian mustard 'tendergreen'?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for indian mustard 'tendergreen'. Repot indian mustard 'tendergreen' every 2–3 years into a snug pot of fertile, well-drained loam high in organic matter, ph 6.0-7.5, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does indian mustard 'tendergreen' need?

When is the best time of year to repot indian mustard 'tendergreen'?

Should you water indian mustard 'tendergreen' after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot indian mustard 'tendergreen' into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise indian mustard 'tendergreen' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting indian mustard 'tendergreen'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.