Purple mustard is indigenous to Central Asia and parts of the Middle East and Eastern Europe, thriving in various terrains from steppes to rocky slopes. The species has been introduced across multiple continents, including Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Australasia. Despite its widespread transplantation, purple mustard retains a robust presence in its native range.

Purple mustard is originally from Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It's classified as a weed because of its ability to quickly spread and colonize large areas, throwing off the balance of local ecosystems. One of the main characteristics that makes purple mustard such a successful weed is its prolific seed production. Each plant can produce up to thousands of seeds that stay in the soil for years, germinating when conditions are right. Purple mustard also has deep roots, making it difficult to remove completely. In gardens, purple mustard can choke out other plants and is known to be harmful to certain crops, such as wheat and alfalfa. It’s also resistant to a number of common herbicides, further adding to its weed status. Its primary method of spreading is through its seeds, which are easily carried by wind, water, animals, or even human activity.

The best season to remove purple mustard is the spring, prior to the plant's full flowering and seed set stage for the best results in weed management.