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Vegetable
Bok choy
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis · also Pak choi
A fast Asian green that's ready in 6 to 8 weeks, ideal for autumn and early spring in Adelaide. It bolts to seed quickly in heat and lengthening days, so sow in cooler months and pick young. Keep it well watered for tender, juicy stems.
- SunFull sun or part shade
- Spacing25 cm apart
- First pick6–8 weeks
- FrostFrost hardy
- HeatStruggles in heat
- Sow depth10 mm
When to plant where you live
Checking your area…
Add bok choy to my gardenVarieties (3)
- Baby (Shanghai) bok choySmall green-stemmed heads ready in about 5 to 6 weeks; ideal for small beds and pots
- Bolt-resistant types (e.g. Joi Choi)Hold longer before flowering; better for spring sowings
- White-stem bok choyLarger heads with thick white stems; best for stir-fries
Neighbours
Grows well with
Keep away from
From seed to plate
Plant
25 cm apart, seed 10 mm deep. Full sun or part shade.
Water
Keep moist.
Feed
Liquid feed fortnightly.
Pick, from about 6 weeks
Cut whole or pick leaves.
Good to know
- Sow a short row every 2 to 3 weeks rather than one big planting
- Harvest outer leaves or cut whole heads just above the base; they often reshoot
- Feed with a liquid fertiliser every fortnight for quick, tender growth
Common problems
- Boltingsow in autumn and late winter, avoid summer; keep watered and harvest early
- Cabbage white butterfly caterpillarscover with fine insect mesh, hand pick; use a Bt-based registered product following label directions if needed
- Aphidshose off, encourage ladybirds; use soap spray on bad clusters
- Slugs, snails and flea beetle holes on seedlingstrap or hand pick snails; keep seedlings moist and growing fast
If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.
Where this information comes from
- Australian seed company regional sowing charts (temperate zone) (germination, low confidence)
- ABC Gardening Australia fact sheets (growing, low confidence)
- ABC Gardening Australia plant finder: Pak Bok, Tatsoi, Bok Choy (growing, medium confidence, checked 27 Oct 2026)
- Johnny's Selected Seeds: Black Summer pac choi growing notes (growing, medium confidence, checked 27 Oct 2026)
- Sustainable Gardening Australia: planting guides (sowing window, low confidence)
Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 27 Oct 2026. Version 2.