How to Grow Bok Choy

Updated June 2026

A cool-season leafy green for the home garden.

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

🌱 Plant profile: Bok Choy, with sowing times for your region, companion plants and common pests.

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 8 in between plants.
• Sowing: barely cover the seed.
• Water: roughly 1.1 gal per plant every 2 days in hot weather.
• Containers: grows well in a pot of 10 in+.

Pests & problems

Watch for Imported cabbageworm. 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 →

Related guides