Is this plant invasive?

It is considered a weed in many regions and can spread rapidly in disturbed areas.

Hand pulling before it sets seed is the most effective method.

Plant guide

Hedge mustard.

Sisymbrium officinale

Pronounced sis-IM-bree-um oh-fiss-ih-NAH-lee

Also known as Crambling Mustard, Crambling Rocket, European hedge mustard, Hairypod Hedgemustard, Hedge Mustard, Hedge Tumblemustard, Hedge Wild Mustard, Hedgemustard

Sisymbrium officinale — Photo by rosadam (CC BY) via gbif

Hedge mustard is a hardy annual or biennial herb often found growing along roadsides and in disturbed soil. It produces small yellow flowers followed by slender, upright seed pods that press closely against the stem. You will find it is quite resilient and adaptable to various environmental conditions.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Annual or biennial herb
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

This plant thrives in full sun and prefers well drained, slightly disturbed soil. Watch for wilting during extreme dry spells, as it appreciates consistent moisture to maintain its rapid growth. It is generally self sufficient and rarely requires intervention.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the active growing season.
Feeding: A light application of balanced fertilizer during spring supports healthy foliage development.
Pruning: Remove spent flower stalks to encourage a tidier appearance and prevent unwanted seed dispersal.
Repotting: Since it is typically grown outdoors, repotting is rarely necessary unless you are keeping it in a container.
Soil: Well drained, loamy or sandy soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -15 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Annual or biennial, typically 1 to 2 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth despite adequate light and water.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non toxic but may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in excess.
Children: The plant is not considered dangerous to children, but the small seeds should be kept away from toddlers to prevent choking.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals upon direct contact.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in sensitive individuals during the peak flowering season.
Edibility: While historically used in cooking, this plant contains glucosinolates that can cause irritation if consumed in large quantities.

How to identify it

Small yellow four petaled flowers
Slender seed pods pressed against stem
Deeply lobed or pinnate leaves
Hairy stems and foliage
Upright branching growth habit

Height: 0.2 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 0.3 to 0.5cm
Fruit: brown, Summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.
Downy mildew · A fungal infection causing yellow patches on leaves in humid conditions.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In colder climates, the plant may die back completely to the ground. If it is a biennial, the basal rosette will persist through the winter to flower the following spring.
In containers: It is not typically grown in containers due to its taproot and weedy nature.

Seed

1. Collect mature seeds from brown pods in late summer.
2. Sow seeds directly into prepared soil in autumn or spring.
3. Lightly cover with soil and keep moist until germination.

Plant this species in areas where you want to support pollinators, but keep it away from vegetable beds to prevent it from outcompeting crops.

Grows well with

Common Yarrow · They share similar soil requirements and attract beneficial insects.
Wild Carrot · Both plants thrive in similar disturbed meadow environments.

Similar species

Tall Tumblemustard · It is a closely related species with similar growth habits and yellow flowers.

Science

Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Sisymbrium
Order: Brassicales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.
Conservation: It is a common and widespread weed that is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in nitrogen rich, disturbed soils where it quickly colonizes open ground.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, larval host plant
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: medicinal tea, historical culinary herb, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant invasive?: It is considered a weed in many regions and can spread rapidly in disturbed areas.
How do I control it?: Hand pulling before it sets seed is the most effective method.

Where the name comes from

The name Sisymbrium is an ancient Greek term for a type of cress, while officinale indicates its historical use in medicine.

Good to know

It is a member of the mustard family.
The plant is often found growing in disturbed soils along roadsides.
It has a distinct peppery taste when young.

Keep your hedge mustard growing

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.