How to grow Chinese Cabbage

Brassica rapa (Chinensis Group)

Full Sun
High

Needs regular watering during dry weather as shallow-rooted. Most varieties are very day-length sensitive, which means they will bolt as days lengthen. When planted in spring, you need to allow enough time for them to reach a harvestable, useful size before this happens. Because of this, many Chinese cabbages do better in Fall than in Spring.

Growing Chinese cabbage from seed

Direct sow outdoors in fall, sow in an unheated greenhouse or coldframe in winter, sow indoors before last frost in spring, or direct sow outdoors after last frost in spring.

Aim to sow 0.39 inches (1.0 cm) deep and try to ensure a gap of at least 9.75 inches (25.0 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 18°C / 64°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Chinese cabbage about 14 days before your last frost date .

Transplanting Chinese cabbage

A cool season crop that does best in rich loamy soils with lots of organic matter. In the tropics it is a winter crop.

Likes full sun, moist soils and is relatively frost tolerant.

Thin to about 25 cm in each direction.

Transplanted seedlings may bolt to seed so direct sowing is preferred.

As Chinese cabbage is tender, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

How long does Chinese cabbage take to grow?

These estimates for how long Chinese cabbage takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Chinese cabbage to germinate?: 6 days
Average 6 days | Min 1 days | Max 19 days (346)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Chinese cabbage?: + 28 days
Average 28 days | Min 4 days | Max 64 days (103)
Days to Maturity How long until Chinese cabbage is ready for harvest / bloom?: + 55 days
Average 55 days | Min 11 days | Max 144 days (111)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Chinese cabbage?: = 89 days

When should I plant Chinese cabbage?

Our when to plant Chinese cabbage estimates are relative to your last frost date.

When to sow The number of days to sow Chinese cabbage before or after your last frost date.: 14 days before Last Frost Date

Other names for Chinese cabbage

Bok choi, Pak choi, Choy sum, Shanghai paak tsoi, Bai cai, You choy, Napa, Mustard cabbage, Celery mustard, Peh-chai, Qing cai, Xiao bai cai, Sawi hijau, Chingensai, Shakushina, Taisin, Spay saa, Phak kat khao, Sawi-puteh, Pechay, Phak kwang tung, Cai be trang, Baby bok choy, 油菜 (Mandarin), 白菜 (Cantonese), 青菜 (Shanghainese)

Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis, Brassica campestris var. chinensis, Brassica campestris chinensis, Brassica campestris var. chinensis

Misspellings: Chinese White Cabbage, Flowering Pak Choy, Bok Choy, white cabbage, Chinese celery cabbage, paak tsoi, pak toi, pak choi, bok choi,