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
    P P P              

(Best months for growing Pak Choy in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • 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 21°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 30 - 40 cm 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 New Zealand | for all countries
02 May 23, Nida (New Zealand - temperate climate)
How many seedlings can be grown in a pot around 40cm in diameter and 50cm deep?
Reply or Post a new comment
08 May 23, Anonymous (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Look at the spacing guide between plants in the notes.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Nov 18, Briar (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Do you pinch out the yellow flowers on bok choy? Is it going to seed?
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Nov 18, OrleneOnline (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Yep it is going to seed, you can cut off the base of the bolt (the stem of the flower). For some varieties of pak choi these flowers are edible. Once your plant does bolt the leaves tend become more bitter, still edible just something to note.
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Nov 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Yes it is going to seed. Yes pinch the flower off.
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Mar 17, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I grow Bok/Pak Choy having come home from Thailand and discovered since my time out of the country it is now grown here. It is easy to grow and readily available as a green vegetable. I endeavour to leave one or two plants to go to seed: 1. for the flowers as they really attract bees to the garden. 2. My next seasons seeds. Some of the seeds will fall to the garden, germinate and grow. I just transplant them to wherever I want them.I like steamed bok choy with a little soya sauce over it once it is cooked. It is great to add to a stir-fry or young leaves added to a fresh salad.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Jun 10, CC (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Pak Choy usually go to seed whenever there is a seasonal change or sudden change in temperature. It can happen when the weather turns hot from cold or cold from hot, or just a few colder days during spring or summer.
Reply or Post a new comment
See comments for all plants

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 GardenGrow 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 GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | 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. GardenGrow 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.