Bok Choy

Plant Overview

Bok Choy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) is listed in the Brassicaceae family and categorized as a vegetable with a biennial commonly grown as an annual crop life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Easy.

Plant ID

PLT-0045

Family

Brassicaceae

Plant type

Vegetable

Life cycle

Biennial commonly grown as an annual crop

Alternate names

Pak choi, pac choi, Chinese white cabbage

Growth habit

Upright cool-season leafy vegetable forming an open cluster of broad leaves with thick white or pale green stalks

Mature height

Many varieties reach about 8-15 inches at harvest; miniature varieties can be only 3-4 inches tall, and flowering plants grow taller

Mature spread

Varies substantially between miniature and full-size varieties; follow the seed supplier guidance for the selected variety and harvest size

Difficulty

Easy

Growing Conditions

Bok Choy is listed for full sun to partial shade conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; keep evenly moist without waterlogging. The database soil reference is Fertile, well-drained soil with organic matter. The listed soil pH range is 6.0-7.0, and the listed hardiness range is 2-11 as an annual crop.

Hardiness zones

2-11 as an annual crop

Sunlight

Full sun to partial shade

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil with organic matter

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Water needs

Moderate; keep evenly moist without waterlogging

Plant spacing

Allow about 6-12 inches between full-size plants according to variety, with rows 12-18 inches apart; compact varieties grown for miniature heads can be spaced 2-4 inches apart

Seed & Germination

For seed starting, the listed germination time is Typically 5-14 days at about 60-70 F with consistent moisture; timing varies with seed lot and conditions and the seed depth is Sow about 1/4 inch deep. The listed time to maturity is Many varieties reach harvest size about 37-60 days after emergence; miniature varieties and young plants can be harvested sooner than full-size types. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.

Germination

Typically 5-14 days at about 60-70 F with consistent moisture; timing varies with seed lot and conditions

Germination temperature

About 60-70 F is a suitable seed-starting range

Seed depth

Sow about 1/4 inch deep

Sowing method

Direct sow or transplant; fall planting is well suited to warm southern climates

Start indoors

Start seeds in individual tray cells about 2-4 weeks before transplanting

Transplanting

Set out young seedlings before they become rootbound or stressed. Repeated nights below 50 F can trigger premature flowering in seedlings

Harvest & Propagation

Days to maturity

Many varieties reach harvest size about 37-60 days after emergence; miniature varieties and young plants can be harvested sooner than full-size types

Harvest

Cut the whole plant at the base before flowering, or pick the largest outer leaves while leaving the center to continue growing

Propagation

Propagated by seed, either directly sown or raised in trays for transplanting

Seed saving

Allow selected healthy plants to flower and form pods. Isolate from other flowering Brassica rapa varieties. Collect stalks as pods dry and turn brown, before they split; finish drying under cover, then thresh and clean the seeds. Saved seed from F1 hybrids may not reproduce the parent variety.

Pollination

Insect-pollinated and generally self-incompatible; grow multiple flowering plants for seed. Can cross with other Brassica rapa crops, including turnips and napa cabbage

Garden Information

Common pests

Flea beetles, aphids, whiteflies, cabbage loopers, cutworms, beet armyworms, slugs, and snails

Common diseases

Clubroot, white rust, leaf spot, damping-off, and bacterial soft rot

Uses

Tender leaves and crunchy stalks eaten raw or cooked; suitable for stir-fries, soups, steaming, and braising