How to Grow Flowering Bok Choy
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Flowering Bok Choy
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
vegetableFlowering bok choy, also known as choy sum or Chinese broccoli, is a leafy green vegetable prized for its tender flowering stems and leaves. Unlike regular bok choy, this variety is harvested for its delicate flower buds and young stalks rather than mature heads. It's a cool-season crop that thrives in spring and fall gardens with a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
When should you plant Flowering Bok Choy in your zone?
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Example Flowering Bok Choy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Flowering Bok Choy
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Flowering Bok Choy
Around May 27≈ 40 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Flowering Bok Choy dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-9 for spring planting; zones 6-10 for fall planting. Best in mild climates.
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Seedling
1-2 weeksTiny cotyledons emerge and first true leaves develop. Plant is small and delicate.
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once true leaves appear.
Vegetative
2-3 weeksMultiple stems and leaves develop. Plant grows bushy with 4-6 leaves visible.
Maintain consistent moisture and feed with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Thin to final spacing if needed.
Stem Elongation
1-2 weeksFlowering stems begin to lengthen and thicken. Buds form at the leaf axils and stem tips.
Continue regular watering and fertilizing with nitrogen to support stem growth. Watch for bolting in warm weather.
Flowering/Bud Formation
2-4 weeksSmall yellow or white flower buds cluster at stem tips and leaf axils. Tender immature flowers are prime for harvest.
Begin harvesting outer stems to encourage side branching and prolong production. Keep harvesting to prevent full flower opening.
Harvest Ready
Ongoing for 2-3 weeksTender flowering stems with unopened buds are at peak quality—tender and mild-flavored.
Harvest in early morning when stems are crisp. Cut stems 4-6 inches long from the outside of the plant.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers before damage appears. Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray. Hand-pick caterpillars. Plant with companion herbs like dill.
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Use row covers on young plants. Apply neem oil spray. Dust with diatomaceous earth. Ensure adequate soil moisture.
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Spray with water to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap. Apply neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Apply Bt spray. Use row covers. Hand-pick larvae. Encourage parasitic wasps.
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Use row covers. Apply beneficial nematodes to soil. Practice crop rotation. Remove debris.
Uses
Stir-fries & Asian Cuisine
CulinaryFlowering bok choy is a staple in Asian cooking, particularly in Chinese cuisine. The tender stems and mild, slightly sweet flower buds are lightly cooked in stir-fries, soups, and steamed dishes. [source]
Fresh & Cooked Greens
CulinaryBoth raw in salads when young and tender, or briefly cooked by steaming, sautéing, or blanching. The delicate texture is best preserved with minimal cooking. [source]
Nutritional & Anti-inflammatory
MedicinalLike other brassicas, flowering bok choy contains glucosinolates, compounds with potential anti-cancer properties, and is rich in vitamins C, K, and A, calcium, and iron. [source]
Sustainable Garden Production
HouseholdA quick-growing crop that provides multiple harvests from a small space, making it ideal for home gardeners and succession planting strategies. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeIf allowed to fully flower, the small yellow or white blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden. [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 when stems are 4-6 inches long and flower buds are just beginning to form but still tightly closed. Cut stems from the outside of the plant, leaving the center to continue growing. Regular harvesting encourages more side shoots and extends the harvest window. Morning harvest yields crispest stems. Plants typically produce for 2-4 weeks before bolting completely.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Flowering bok choy is sometimes called 'choy sum,' which literally means 'vegetable heart' in Cantonese, referring to the tender flowering stems that form the plant's center.
- 🌱 Unlike regular bok choy, which is harvested as a full head, flowering bok choy is a cut-and-come-again crop that can be harvested multiple times from the same plant, similar to perpetual spinach.
- 🌱 This crop is extremely temperature-sensitive and will bolt (flower prematurely) in warm weather over 75°F, making it an ideal crop for cool spring and fall seasons in most climates.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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