False rocket
Sisymbrium loeselii · Brassicaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant false rocket: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Type
- Annual or biennial herbaceous plant
- Adult size
- 0.30 to 0.80 m in height
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (April to August)
- Flowers
- Small yellow flowers in clusters
- Foliage
- Deciduous, pinnate leaves
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, tolerates frost and cold
- Origin
- Europe, Southwest Asia
Care
Exposure
Plant your hedge mustard in full sun for vigorous growth. It tolerates partial shade, though flowering will be less abundant. A sunny exposure promotes flower development and strengthens the plant's resilience.
Soil
This herbaceous plant adapts to most soils, even poor or stony ones. It prefers good drainage and tolerates dry conditions. Simply avoid constantly waterlogged soil, which promotes damping off of seedlings.
Watering
Water moderately when planting, then space waterings according to natural rainfall. Hedge mustard is a water-efficient plant: watering is only necessary during prolonged drought. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer is really necessary. If you find the soil very poor, a light application of well-decomposed compost at the start of the season can support growth. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizers, which would promote foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pruning and maintenance
Pinch young plants to encourage a bushier form. Remove spent flowers to extend the flowering period and prevent excessive self-seeding if desired. At the end of its cycle, you can leave a few stems to set seed for natural reseeding.
Diseases and pests
Hedge mustard is generally quite resistant to diseases. Watch for aphids or small beetles of the Brassicaceae family, especially on young plants. Good spacing and natural air circulation reduce the risk of damping off or fungal diseases.
Did you know?
Loesel's hedge mustard was once cultivated as a medicinal plant in medieval Europe, appreciated for its tonic and expectorant properties. Its scientific name honors German botanist Wilhelm Loesel (1607-1655). Even today, some regions use it in traditional infusions, though its medicinal use has fallen out of favor in comparison to more widely documented plants.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- CransonArmoracia rusticana
- Sea kaleCrambe maritima
- Mountain AlyssumAlyssum montanum
- Wall rock cressArabis caucasica
- Rocket SaladEruca sativa
- WasabiEutrema japonicum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.