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

02 Dec 13, Dave S (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I also live in Ballarat and gave grown bok choy almost year round. It produced well until about May last year, and I've been looking for some more for the garden since the beginning of spring but haven't seen much around locally. It does tend to bolt quickly during late summer but I find if I pick the leaves regularly it slows down a bit. Does tend to be very thirsty, too.
21 May 13, Peet Smith (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I am looking to buy the following seeds Pak Choy Bok Choy Chinese Cabbage Chinese Horseradish Bamboo
25 Mar 13, Joe (Australia - tropical climate)
Comment. I am in Nth. Qld. and since New Year 2013 have produced 3 crops of Pak Choy. 2 dozen at a time. I am going to give a link for people to understand some asian vegetables and names. I find that Thai seeds germinate in about half the amount of time as Australian seed. e.g. yard long beans 2 and three quarter days. My wife and I also have two types of gingers growing. Ginger is underestimated in the Australian diet. However I have a 25% shade cloth above my garden to mist the rain and help prevent mid-day heat. Asian vegetables names from the SMH will give you the site, as no links allowed here. my seeds come in through customs, and my son is married to a Thai girl. I have the greatest respect for the Thai vegetable diet.
24 Mar 13, Rebecca (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I believe it is the same, just another name. It is also called Chinese chard, white cabbage and Tsoi sum.
23 Mar 13, Soldier (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it okay if I just leave my Pak Choi outside for winter (there are minimal amounts of frost here) or do I have to do some frost protection?
14 Mar 13, Thomas Houseman (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I notice a lot of vegies have "Avoid planting with" advice. Can I ask why and what are the side effects of doing so? Thanks.
27 Mar 13, Jade (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
you will find it is bug related or nutrient related. the bugs will get together to the point you have a big colony, or you will find the plants take up similar nutrients and deplete the soil. Best planting with plants that repel each other's bugs and release beneficial nutrients for each other.
12 Mar 12, houston (USA - Zone 7a climate)
please explain thinning and what happens if its not done
23 Dec 11, Keith Goodwin (Australia - temperate climate)
Can someone explain the difference between pak choy and bok choy
02 Feb 12, Jen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Keith, the names from Chinese translated should really read Bahk Choi Bahk = white Choic - Cabbage! so thats the one with the white base, And re nibblers, if you have the time you can also just turn the leaves over, and you may find tiny white spots, they are the babies of the white butterfly that will eat and make the "holes" I just rub them off, if they have gotten under the mozzie netting.
Showing 51 - 60 of 92 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Pak Choy

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.