Growing Chinese cabbage, also Wong bok, wong nga pak, napa cabbage

Brassica rapa (Pekinensis Group) : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

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

(Best months for growing Chinese cabbage in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Easy to grow. Sow direct in the garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 20°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 30 cm apart
  • Harvest in 8-10 weeks. Harvest whole head or you can take a few leaves at a time..
  • 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 (chilli, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Your comments and tips

22 Jan 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
I personally would plant this autumn and harvest winter (not Sept as they suggest - way too hot by Oct/Nov). I'm sub tropical and have done this. Prefers cooler weather means grow it in the cooler months.
31 Aug 18, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have some wombok growing at different stages. My biggest three have lage, widespread leaves but all the pics of wombok I can find show me long, compact vegies. Since I don't know what the wombok should look like I don't know if this is how it should be? Should I let them keep growing in hope that a long central core shapes itself?Or is this the way it's meant to look? To confuse things more, I googled wombok images/Chinese cabbage and found a host of different pics but not one that looks like mine. Thanx in advance.
18 Jan 21, Joanne (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Mine is doing the same. Wide spread leaves not compact at all.
02 Sep 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The seeds could be mixed up in the packet or wrong seeds sent. I bought bok choy and end up with Chinese cabbage from an internet seed seller. I have very rich soil (too much filter press applied) and the Chinese cabbage never really developed a head. Huge plants and leaves - no head.
07 Sep 18, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks Mike. I'll have to google 'filter press'. I bought mine from an internet seller too - same thing!
10 Sep 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Filter press or mill mud is the last pieces/bits of fiber and dirt etc from the process of squashing the juice out of sugar cane. Now days at our local sugar mill they put the fire ash in with it. Very high in P. It doesn't seem much but it has something in it that gives gardens a big lift. It is becoming very expensive (cost of truck to deliver it) compared to fertilisers etc. $120 for a 10 tonne truck load. Down side is you can have a lot of weed seed in it.
11 Sep 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Should be very high in K.
26 Jun 21, Jane (Australia - tropical climate)
Mike, on the off-chance that (3 yrs down the track) you'll read this. I've heard of mill mud. Can I get a smaller quantity and is it possible rid it of seed. Also, how do I use it? Do I dig it into the soil before I plant? Does it smell (mills sometimes do) ? Thnx
15 Sep 14, paulo peterson (USA - Zone 13b climate)
I live in Hawaii tropical climate I am a student at university of Hawaii I want to be a organic farmer some day I am thinking to use bone meal so how I should use?
02 Sep 13, Terry Moloney (Australia - temperate climate)
Mine have all gone to seed. Is it possible to eat the leaves although the cabbage has not formed, all I have is a tall stalk with large leaves?
Showing 11 - 20 of 28 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Chinese cabbage

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.