How to Grow Bok Choy: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest
Quick answer
Bok choy is a cool-season Brassica rapa Chinensis-group crop, not heading cabbage. In cold-winter areas, sow mid-summer for fall harvest to reduce spring bolting (UMN). Seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep; space about 6 to 8 inches (NC State) or thin to 12 to 18 inches for larger plants (UMN).
Bok choy at a glance
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.
Not heading cabbage. Bok choy (Brassica rapa Chinensis group) makes upright stalks with thick petioles. See how to grow cabbage for heading types, and organic cabbage for shared brassica pests.
What it is
UMN: Bok choy (pak choi) “grows an upright clump of dark green leaves, each with a very thick white or light green stalk,” distinct from Chinese/Napa cabbage (UMN Extension). NC State: Chinensis group; loose head of leaves on pale stalks; mature about 60 days (NC State).
Planting timing by region
Cool-season crop. UMD lists bok choy among hardy crops that “will withstand a hard frost” (UMD Extension). UMN (cold-winter framing): treat as a fall crop — “Plant seed directly in the garden in July.” Spring plantings risk bolting if plants see late frosts or more than a week of nights below 50°F. Santa Clara UC Master Gardeners: fall into winter or early spring; 6 to 8 inches apart in February–April or September–October (UC ANR). Present by climate.
Depth and spacing
NC State: bury seeds 1/4 to 1/2 in deep and space or thin to 6 in apart. UMN: sow three seeds every 12 inches (dwarf) or 18 inches (full-sized); thin to one plant every 12 to 18 inches. Santa Clara MG: 6 to 8 inches. Sources differ — show each.
Sun, soil and water
NC State: full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained; pH 6.0–7.5. UMN: rotate — do not plant where cabbage-family crops grew in the last four years; about 1 inch rain per week. Row cover for insects, wind, cold (UMN; NC State). No synthetic fertilizer rates; soil test; compost/well-rotted manure only.
Harvest
NC State: outer leaves first or whole head; if bolting, harvest before flowers open. UMN: dwarf types about 6 inches tall / full-sized about 1 foot; harvest promptly if bolting starts. Days: NC State about 60 to mature; baby harvests sooner.
Pests and diseases (organic)
Same brassica complex as cabbage: flea beetles, cabbageworms/loopers, cabbage maggot, slugs (UMN; NC State). Cultural: row cover from planting; rotate 4 years off brassicas. Caterpillars: Btk when needed — follow the label. Slugs: handpick; iron phosphate bait per label (UC IPM). Diseases: Alternaria, black rot, clubroot — rotation, drainage, remove debris. See also organic cabbage and cabbage-family companions.
Related: organic cabbage · cabbage-family companions · what vegetables to plant in fall · how to grow cabbage · organic pest control · ZIP planner
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant bok choy?
Cool season. In cold-winter areas, sow mid-summer for fall harvest to reduce spring bolting (UMN). In mild-winter areas, late winter/early spring and fall windows work (Santa Clara MG; NC State).
How far apart?
About 6–8 inches (NC State; Santa Clara MG) or thin to 12–18 inches for larger plants (UMN). Seeds ¼–½ inch deep.
Why did it flower early?
Bolting from cold nights on young plants then heat (UMN), or delayed harvest in warm weather (Santa Clara MG).
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Sources
- University of Minnesota Extension: UMN Extension
- NC State Extension: Brassica rapa chinensis group
- University of Maryland Extension: Fall Vegetable Gardening
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR): Bok choy; Snails and slugs