How to Grow Black Summer Pak Choi
Wikimedia Commons
Black Summer Pak Choi
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
vegetableBlack Summer Pak Choi is a fast-growing Asian leafy green featuring dark green to black, tender spoon-shaped leaves with white stalks. It's a heat-tolerant variety of bok choy that matures quickly and is prized for its mild, slightly sweet flavor and tender texture.
When should you plant Black Summer Pak Choi in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Black Summer Pak Choi timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Black Summer Pak Choi
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Black Summer Pak Choi
Around May 22≈ 35 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Black Summer Pak Choi dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Grows well in zones 3-10; prefers cooler spring and fall seasons but tolerates summer heat better than standard bok choy
Sign up free to see if Black Summer Pak Choi grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Black Summer Pak Choi timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
7-10 daysTrue leaves emerge and cotyledons develop; plants are small and tender with 2-4 leaves visible
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to proper spacing when 1-2 inches tall.
Vegetative
15-25 daysRapid leaf expansion with 4-8 leaves; white stalks thicken and elongate; plant grows in rosette form
Maintain consistent watering and soil moisture. Apply mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool. Feed every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer. Monitor for pests.
Pre-Maturity
10-15 daysPlant reaches near-full size with 8-12 leaves; white stalks are prominent and tender; dark green color deepens
Continue consistent watering; apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer if leaves appear pale. Watch for bolting if temperatures exceed 75°F consistently. Provide afternoon shade in extreme heat.
Harvest Ready
Variable; ready to harvestFull-sized heads with multiple dark green leaves and prominent white stalks; outer leaves slightly wider and thicker
Harvest in early morning for crispest texture. Cut from base or harvest outer leaves only to encourage regrowth. Use within a few days for best quality.
Post-Harvest Regrowth
10-14 days per regrowth cycleIf left unharvested or partially harvested, inner leaves continue growing; plant may bolt and flower if stressed
Secondary harvests possible if inner leaves are left intact. Remove flowering stalks if bolting occurs to extend harvest window. Will eventually become bitter and woody if over-matured.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Use row covers on young plants; spray neem oil or spinosad; plant trap crops; encourage beneficial insects
-
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; hand-pick caterpillars; row covers; parasitic wasp introductions
-
Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage ladybugs and parasitic wasps
-
Yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap; neem oil; reflective mulch; vacuum with handheld device
-
Increase humidity; spray with water; neem oil; miticide if severe; introduce predatory mites
-
and
Hand-pick at night; copper tape barriers; beer traps; diatomaceous earth; encourage ground beetles
Uses
Stir-fries and Asian Cuisine
CulinaryBlack Summer Pak Choi is a staple in Asian cooking, especially stir-fries, soups, and noodle dishes. The tender leaves and mild, slightly sweet flavor work beautifully with garlic, ginger, and soy-based sauces. [source]
Raw Salads and Fresh Eating
CulinaryYoung, tender leaves are excellent raw in salads with subtle sweetness and crisp texture. Pair with vinaigrettes or Asian dressings for refreshing side dishes. [source]
Nutritional and Anti-cancer Properties
MedicinalPak choi is rich in glucosinolates, compounds that may support detoxification and have been studied for potential cancer-preventive properties. Also high in vitamins C, K, and A, plus calcium and antioxidants. [source]
High-Yield Container Growing
HouseholdBlack Summer Pak Choi's compact size and fast maturity make it ideal for container gardening on patios, balconies, and small spaces. Successive plantings provide continuous harvests in minimal space. [source]
Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeIf allowed to bolt and flower, pak choi produces small yellow flowers that attract bees and other beneficial pollinators. Flowering plants also support parasitic wasps and other natural pest predators. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when heads are 4-6 inches tall for tender, mild flavor. Cut at the base with a sharp knife in early morning when crisp. For continuous harvest, remove outer leaves only, leaving inner growth point intact. Baby pak choi can be harvested at 20-30 days at 2-3 inches tall. Best flavor occurs when harvested before temperatures consistently exceed 75°F. Store in refrigerator crisper drawer for up to 7-10 days.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Black Summer Pak Choi is specifically bred for heat tolerance compared to standard white-stemmed bok choy, making it one of the best varieties for summer gardening in warmer climates.
- 🌱 Pak choi can produce multiple harvests from a single plant if you use the 'cut-and-come-again' method, removing outer leaves while leaving the center growth point intact for regrowth.
- 🌱 The 'pak choi' name comes from Cantonese and means 'white vegetable,' though Black Summer varieties have dark green leaves rather than pale leaves—they're prized for the contrasting dark foliage and white stalks.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Black Summer Pak Choi planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Black Summer Pak Choi seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Black Summer Pak Choi timeline →