How Does the Mustard Plant Grow?

Germination

• Mustard seeds germinate within a few days to a week, depending on soil fertility and weather. They will begin germinating as soon as the soil temperature reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit and can develop taproots up to 5 feet long in dry soils.

Growth

• While mustard seeds germinate quickly, the plants grow slowly, reaching heights of 30 to 45 inches. Above ground, the plant grows branches. Below ground, roots grow to support the plant. Mustard plants grow best in cool weather and produce more seeds without competition from wild mustard or other Brassica species.

Reproduction

• Terminal ends of branches begin to grow flower buds that bloom around 45 days of age, depending on variety. Insects such as bees pick pollen off stamens and transfer it to pistils on other plants. Fertilized flowers close and grow into pods in which new seeds develop. Most seeds mature in 90 to 95 days. Pods burst open to broadcast the seeds, and the plant dies.