It has crisp stalks surrounded by smooth, tender leaves.
Bok choy tastes a lot like cabbage or chard.
Bok choy is a member of the Brassicaceae family, categorized as cruciferous for its “cross-shaped” flowers.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Succession-plant bok choy every couple of weeks for a longer harvest period.
you’re able to also plant nursery seedlings in the garden after the danger of frost has passed.
Timing is crucial when sowing seeds.
The Spruce / K. Dave
It should also have full sun for most of the day, especially if it’s a fall crop.
Bok choy can also be grown in a container garden.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
Seeds should be planted 1/2 inch apart about 1/4 inch deep.
The Spruce / K. Dave
If planting seedlings, space them in the ground 6 to 12 inches apart for adequate growth.
If you want a continuous harvest, add new plants every two weeks.
No support system is necessary for bok choy.
The Spruce / K. Dave
It typically needs about six hours of direct sun each day.
Soil
You’ll need well-draining soil enriched withorganic matter.
Water
Bok choy needs fairly moist but never soggy soil conditions.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Drought can cause it to bolt to seed too early.
Your plants will need consistent watering, especially in the drier fall months.
Temperature and Humidity
Bok choy grows annually in every hardiness zone in the U.S.
It does best in cooler weather; dry and hot conditions can cause it to bolt prematurely.
However, it may quickly bolt to seed the following spring.
Fertilizer
When planting bok choy, add compost and organic fertilizer to the soil.
These plants are heavy feeders, preferring soil rich in potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
Small “baby” bok choy is also a popular choice.
The two vegetables look alike, each having fibrous, long, coarse green leaves.
Bok choy is more flavorful (and more bitter) than napa cabbage.
Napa cabbage is crispier and grows larger than bok choy.
Harvest leaves from the outer part of the plant to allow the inner leaves to continue growing.
They should re-sprout for you, or you’re able to propagate them in water.
The re-sprouted plants will be smaller but still delicious.
The young, tender seedlings culled out during thinning can be added to salads or stir-fry dishes.
A pot should measure at least 12 inches wide and 20 inches deep for one plant.
Add another 12 inches of width to the pot for additional plants.
Fill the pot with a lightweightpotting mixthat is well-draining but does not use regular dense soil.
A good potting mix can be a mixture of peat, compost, and hopped bark that drains well.
Place the pot where it will receive at least 6 hours of sun.
Water the container regularly without letting the soil become dry to the touch.
Water as close to the soil as possible without allowing moisture to hit the leaves.
The easiest way to propagate bok choy is to soak scraps in a jar or water bowl.
Here’s how to propagate bok choy in water.
After flowering, remove the plants at the end of their lifecycle.
Common Pests and Diseases
Bok choy is not usually affected by the most common brassica diseases.
Use row covers, garden fabric, or netting for outdoor plants to minimize damage from insects.
Bok choy is relatively simple to grow, but the timing is essential.
The small and tender leaves also have a slightly sweeter taste than the full-grown plant.
Save bok choy scraps with the base intact.
Soak the bottom of the base in water and place it in a bright window.
Once the interior leaves grow, plant the base in enriched, well-draining potting soil.
Keep the soil evenly moist.
Feed the plant weekly with an organic fertilizer.
Growing bok choy indoors is only recommended if you have a large, cool-temperature greenhouse.
Center for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, University of Massachusetts Amherst.
