How to Grow Bok Choy Purple
Wikimedia Commons
Bok Choy Purple
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
vegetablePurple bok choy is a leafy Asian green characterized by deep purple or dark violet stems with tender, nutrient-rich green leaves. It is a fast-growing brassica that matures in 45-60 days and can be harvested at any stage from baby leaf to full maturity. This variety offers both culinary appeal and nutritional benefits, thriving in cool-season gardens.
Looking for a specific variety?
When should you plant Bok Choy Purple 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 Bok Choy Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Bok Choy Purple
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Bok Choy Purple
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Bok Choy Purple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; prefers cooler seasons (spring and fall)
Sign up free to see if Bok Choy Purple grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Bok Choy Purple timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
7-10 daysTiny cotyledons emerge; first true leaves developing with pale green coloring and minimal stem color visible
Keep soil consistently moist, thin seedlings to proper spacing once 2-3 inches tall, provide bright indirect light
Vegetative Growth
2-3 weeksRapid leaf production; distinctive purple stems become visible and darken as plant grows; rosette formation begins
Water regularly, apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks, thin crowded plants, monitor for pest damage
Leaf Development
2-3 weeksMature green leaves expand significantly; purple stems darken to deep violet; plant reaches 8-12 inches tall
Maintain consistent moisture, mulch around base to retain moisture and cool soil, watch for bolting in warm weather
Baby Bok Choy Stage
30-40 days from seedPlant reaches 4-6 inches tall with tender leaves and still-developing stems; optimal for baby harvesting
Can begin selective harvesting of outer leaves or harvest whole plants; continue watering
Mature Harvest Ready
45-60 days from seedFull-sized plant with compact rosette, 10-14 inches tall, deep purple stems at peak color, thick tender leaves
Ready for final harvest; cut at soil level or harvest individual outer leaves for continued production
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Floating row covers, Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray, handpick larvae, companion planting with garlic
-
Row covers, neem oil spray, reflective mulches, diatomaceous earth, kaolin clay spray
-
Strong water spray to dislodge, insecticidal soap, neem oil, encourage beneficial predators
-
and
Hand removal, copper tape barriers, beer traps, diatomaceous earth, encourage ground beetles
-
Yellow sticky traps, insecticidal soap, neem oil, vacuum with handheld vacuum cleaner
Uses
Stir-fries and Asian cuisine
CulinaryPurple bok choy is a staple in Asian cooking, particularly valued for its tender leaves and crisp purple stems that hold texture well when cooked quickly over high heat. The mild, slightly sweet flavor works beautifully in stir-fries, soups, and steamed dishes. [source]
Raw salads and slaws
CulinaryYoung tender leaves and stems are excellent raw in salads, slaws, and grain bowls, offering a crisp texture and decorative purple color. The anthocyanins in the purple stems add both visual appeal and nutritional value. [source]
Nutritional and antioxidant support
MedicinalPurple bok choy is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and potassium, plus powerful antioxidants. The purple pigmentation indicates high anthocyanin content, associated with anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular health benefits. [source]
Sautéing and side dishes
CulinarySimple preparations highlighting bok choy's natural flavor work wonderfully: lightly sauté with garlic and sesame oil, steam with ginger, or braise with vegetable broth. The stems remain pleasantly crisp even with gentle cooking. [source]
Extended storage and preservation
HouseholdPurple bok choy stores well in the refrigerator for 5-7 days when kept in a plastic bag, and can be blanched and frozen for winter use. Baby bok choy is particularly convenient for storage and quick preparation. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting baby bok choy at 30-40 days when plants are 4-6 inches tall for maximum tenderness. For mature plants, harvest at 45-60 days by cutting the entire rosette at soil level with a sharp knife, or selectively harvest outer leaves from the bottom for extended harvests. Morning harvest after dew dries provides best crispness. Purple bok choy is most tender before bolting (premature flowering), which occurs in hot weather; spring and fall harvests are superior to summer.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Purple bok choy's vibrant stem color comes from anthocyanin pigments, the same compounds that make blueberries and purple cabbage nutritional powerhouses—these pigments increase in intensity under cooler temperatures and bright light.
- 🌱 Bok choy has been cultivated in China for over 6,000 years and is sometimes called 'Chinese mustard' or 'Chinese cabbage,' though it's distinct from napa cabbage and represents one of the earliest domesticated Asian greens.
- 🌱 Unlike heading cabbages, bok choy doesn't form a tight head but instead creates an open rosette, allowing gardeners to harvest individual outer leaves continuously while the plant remains in the ground, extending the harvest season by several weeks.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Bok Choy Purple planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Bok Choy Purple 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 Bok Choy Purple timeline →