How to Grow Bok Choy

A cool-season leafy for the home garden across the warmer US.

Bok Choy is a rewarding cool-season crop for backyard growers.

When to plant

Bok Choy is a cool-season crop. In the South and Southwest, plant in fall through winter when the heat eases. See your region on the bok choy page for exact timing.

Varieties

• Joi Choi, Vigorous, bolt-tolerant (Johnny's Selected Seeds)
• Toy Choi, Quick baby type (Kitazawa/True Leaf Market)

How to grow it

• Sun & soil: part sun to light shade, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
• Spacing: about 20 cm (8 in) between plants.
• Sowing: barely cover the seed.
• Water: roughly 4 L per plant every 2 days in hot weather.
• Containers: grows well in a pot of 25cm+.

Pests & problems

Watch for Cabbage moth. In humid regions, Clubroot and Black rot can appear, so space for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Bok Choy is usually ready to harvest in roughly 7 weeks. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant bok choy where you garden.

See also: Bok Choy in the plant library →

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