Mustard Greens vs. Kale: What’s the Difference?

If you want an easy way to grow healthy vegetables that support your health in almost all areas, look no further! Mustard greens and kale are not new vegetables, although many are only hearing of them due to their recent rise in popularity over the last decade.

Living and maintaining a well and balanced lifestyle can be difficult. However, one fundamental way to live healthier, eat better, and create a garden with various plants is to grow vegetables such as mustard greens and kale.

Mustard greens range in color from bright green to purple and are the ideal addition to any landscape wanting to add a pop of color in addition to the pop of taste they provide. With leaves that can be curled and straight, Mustard Greens are a fantastic way to add a bit of diversity to any garden or landscape. Kale is a plant that comes in various colors. Kale comes in colors ranging from blue-green, light green, red, and even purple, depending on the season!

So whether you are trying to add flashes of color to your garden or want to cultivate a fresh batch of vegetables for your everyday lifestyle, mustard greens and kale are the perfect addition. Let’s discover all the differences!

Comparing Mustard Greens and Kale

Mustard Greens vs. Kale: Classification and Origin

Although mustard greens and kale have overlapping qualities, both belong to the same genus Brassica but are cultivars of different species.

Mustard greens are plants that originate from the regions of India and Asia. There are four subgroups of cultivars:

1. Juncea
2. Integrifolia
3. Tsatsai
4. Napiformis

Due to being rich in vitamins and antioxidants, these plants are an ideal food with many other uses. In addition, these plants provide a fantastic explosion of taste and are also healthy and good for you to consume regularly.

On the other hand, kale is native to European and Asian countries. Due to its ability to thrive in cold weather conditions, this plant became a fast favorite in its native nations and got its name after its family origins.

Both plants are easy to grow and are relatively to moderately low maintenance. However, due to the fast-growing nature of these plants, it is essential to plant them in the correct season and under the right conditions to ensure you get fresh vegetables from your garden.

Mustard Greens vs. Kale: Description

The mustard greens and kale plants are usually well known for their flavor and use. However, any plant lover looking to spruce up their garden with bright colors and a variety of shapes should consider planting these two.

Mustard greens receive their name from the color of their seedlings and the taste of the plant. It grows from a yellow mustard seedling into a beautiful green or purple. They typically have a vibrant green color with wavy or frill-like leaves. Once the plant is mature, the leaves of the plant get supported by a sturdy and thick green stem. From the peppery and slightly bitter taste to the bright green leaves, it’s easy to see where the mustard greens got their name.

Kale is a dark leafy green that typically comes in beautiful blue-green, bright green, and red colors. It helps to provide plant lovers with an excellent source of calories and vitamins. Kale belongs to the same family as cabbage. As such, it retains the earthy and nutty flavor that cabbages are known for. With a thick stem and broad leaves that often branch out into bright green and dark purple colors, this vegetable is fast becoming a favorite amongst the public.

Plants like mustard greens and kale are ideal for plant lovers who want to harvest vegetables that will benefit them and their bodies in the long run!

Mustard Greens vs. Kale: Uses

Mustard greens have been used for many purposes throughout the years, including:

• Great source of food, fiber, and vitamins
• Used as a natural antiseptic to treat wounds in the past
• Act as a diuretic and helps to support Kidney function
• Act as a detoxifying agent and thus help to purify and strengthen your blood
• Used to treat coughing and sore throat

Kale is a versatile, delicious, and easy-to-grow vegetable used in various ways. Whether harvesting it for its leaves or using it as an ingredient in your favorite dishes, kale is a great addition to any garden.

Kale is a cruciferous vegetable with the following benefits:

• Loaded with antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, flavonoids, polyphenols, and vitamin C
• Consuming kale regularly can lower your cholesterol and risk of heart disease
• High in vitamin K
• Kale is high in minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium

Mustard Greens vs. Kale: How to Grow

Growing Mustard Greens

Mustard Greens can grow in warmer temperatures but perform best in the cooler seasons. We know that you have a lot of options when it comes to what to plant in your garden this year, but if you’re looking for something that will add some springtime color and flavor to your meals while also keeping things interesting (and easy), then you should plant some mustard greens.

Growing mustard greens tips:

• Full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade
• Use moist, well-fertilized soil
• Soil pH 5.5-6.8
• Keep soil moist at all times
• Harvest younger leaves when they reach 4-5 inches

Growing Kale

Kale plants are straightforward plants to propagate. These plants are, however, a little sensitive to warmer temperatures and can produce a woody and slightly bitter taste in warmer temperatures.

Growing kale tips:

• Full sun to partial shade
• Use loamy, well-draining soil
• Acidic soil pH
• Water daily

In summary, if you are going to plant mustard greens or kale, you should do so before the fall to ensure that the plants bloom at the correct time. Once you have propagated your plants, you must ensure that the mustard greens and kale receive a regular amount of water and are placed in direct sunlight to grow to their maximum height.

Final Thoughts

These plants are a quick and easy way to ensure that you have access to fresh vegetables that will improve every facet of your life, from the additional vitamins to health benefits such as purifying blood and strengthening the functions of various organs.

From the slight peppery taste of mustard greens to the earthy flavor of kale, these plants are a must-have for any plant lover wanting to add splashes of color to their garden and increase the variety of foods you intake.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Pravruti/Shutterstock.com