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

Your comments and tips

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22 Aug 21, Zamilah (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm in Sydney and just bought a punnet of pak choi, for the first time. Where should I plant them, in shade or full sun?
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15 Dec 08, Freya Su (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You can't! Sow smallish lots every two weeks to get a constant supply. You have to pick the whole vegetable at harvest.
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Showing 61 - 62 of 62 comments
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I have grown both at Tocumwal. I have found Pak Choi has a very short season here, presumably because of our very warm climate (very short and mild winter). Bok Choy (grown from bought seedlings) has a much longer season here and in my opinion is a much better veg. Pak Choy has a loose and untidy habit, Bok Choy has a tighter habit and more succulent leaves and stems. Bok Choy has very light green stems. Pak Choy has white stems. (I did aquire some Red Pak Choy seeds from Diggers Club. Better than white and longer season, but far short of Bok Choy on all counts.). I bought some "Bok Choy seeds" a few months ago. I don't know what they were, but they were not Bok Choy. I guess the commercial plant nurseries have a monolpy on the seed.

- Tim McGrath

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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.
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