Growing Pak Choy, also Pak choi

Brassica campestris var. pekinensis : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T                
      P P              

(Best months for growing Pak Choy in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 70°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 12 - 16 inches apart
  • Harvest in 6-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile, coriander), lettuce, potatoes
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard
  • Young plants

Similar to Chinese cabbage but the leaves are smoother and the stalks are longer and thicker. Grows quickly and will also go to seed quickly in hot weather. Best grown in cooler months.

Needs plenty of water.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Pak Choy

You can treat Pak Choy as "cut and come again" or use the whole plant in one go, whichever suits your needs.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
13 Jul 20, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
How big do pak choi grow
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Jul 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Depends on how much fertiliser you apply. Have a look in a supermarket or vegie shop next time.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Jul 20, (Australia - temperate climate)
Or research on the internet.
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Oct 21, Nancy (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Picture shows 2 to 3" apart, not 12" Looking at a veggie shop won't help if you have a different variety. Just try picking some leaves young they're very tender. Let a few plants get 12-15" harvest the whole thing. Experiment till you find what's best for you
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Jul 22, Nanday (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Size of pak choi/bok choi also depends on variety. For the first time this year, I grew SHUKU variety (sold as a Master Gardener packaged seed at Big W and elsewhere). It has been by far the biggest, most tender and tastiest of any variety I have ever grown, it is slow to bolt and grows to about 3 times the size of what is in the supermarkets, but still tender after the outer leaves are discarded.
Reply or Post a new comment
12 May 20, Scott F (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Are pak choy frost tolerant?
Reply or Post a new comment
18 May 20, Paul Lehmann (Australia - arid climate)
A light frost is not a problem but if you get a heavy Jack Frost they will go to God like any other plant. I'm in Arid Western Vic and get at least two or three Jack Frosts unless I cover them with a frost proofing cover.
Reply or Post a new comment
13 May 20, Anon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
By the planting guide for cool mountain climate I would say maybe an odd light frost. Where I live we don't have frosts. They are a cool weather crop.
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Apr 18, Clive (Australia - temperate climate)
Can Pak Choi be grown in a PVC greenhouse during East Gippsland (Lakes Entrance) winter? Thanks someone.
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
You can grow most things in anything. Attention to sun, water and fertiliser is the key.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 1 - 10 of 62 comments
See comments for all plants

White fly and white butterfly's in general can be discouraged by growing sage throughout your garden, even better is marigolds but they tend to self seed and go everywhere. We started growing sage mixed in with everything else on the advice of the local nursery after losing a whole basil bush overnight to small white fly grubs.

- Bill44

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.