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?
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08 May 23, Anonymous (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Look at the spacing guide between plants in the notes.
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20 Nov 18, Briar (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Do you pinch out the yellow flowers on bok choy? Is it going to seed?
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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.
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22 Nov 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Yes it is going to seed. Yes pinch the flower off.
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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.
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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.
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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.

- CC

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