How to Grow Hong Kong Yu Choy
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Hong Kong Yu Choy
Brassica rapa subsp. parachinensis
vegetableHong Kong Yu Choy is a leafy Asian green featuring tender, dark green leaves and thin, edible stems that form loose clusters. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor with tender texture, making it popular in stir-fries and Asian cuisine. The plant is fast-growing and produces harvestable greens in as little as 30-45 days.
When should you plant Hong Kong Yu Choy in your zone?
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Example Hong Kong Yu Choy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Hong Kong Yu 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 Hong Kong Yu Choy
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Hong Kong Yu Choy dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9; can be grown in cooler zones as a spring or fall crop, and in warmer zones as a cool-season crop
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Get my Hong Kong Yu Choy timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
5-7 daysSeeds sprout and develop cotyledons (seed leaves). First true leaves emerge within 5-7 days.
Keep soil consistently moist. Maintain soil temperature of 65-75°F for optimal germination. Ensure good air circulation to prevent damping off.
Seedling
7-10 daysTrue leaves develop and the plant forms a rosette of 3-4 leaves. Roots establish and become more robust.
Thin seedlings to proper spacing (6 inches apart) when 2-3 inches tall. Water at soil level to prevent fungal issues. Avoid overwatering.
Vegetative/Leaf Development
10-20 daysRapid leaf expansion occurs with stems lengthening. Plant develops 5-8 leaves and reaches 6-10 inches tall. Stems become more prominent and tender.
Maintain consistent moisture and provide balanced nutrition with nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 2 weeks. Remove any yellow or damaged leaves. Monitor for pest activity.
Harvest-Ready
2-3 daysPlant reaches 8-12 inches tall with full, tender leaf clusters and edible stems. Outer leaves are mature and inner leaves remain tender.
Begin harvesting outer leaves for continuous picking, or harvest the entire plant. Ensure consistent watering to maintain tenderness. Watch for bolting signals (flower formation).
Bolting/End of Season
Signals end of harvest windowPlant sends up a central flower stalk and quality declines. Leaves become tougher and more bitter.
Harvest immediately if bolting hasn't begun. Remove bolted plants and replant for succession crops. In hot weather, provide afternoon shade and consistent moisture to delay bolting.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers on young plants. Apply neem oil or spinosad spray. Dust with diatomaceous earth. Remove infested plants immediately.
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(Plutella xylostella, Trichoplusia ni)
Use fine mesh row covers. Hand-pick caterpillars. Spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) weekly. Remove plant debris where pupae overwinter.
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs. Plant nasturtium as trap crop.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days. Remove heavily infested leaves. Improve air circulation.
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Handpick in early morning or evening. Use beer traps or copper barriers. Remove hiding places like leaf debris. Apply food-grade diatomaceous earth.
Uses
Stir-fries and Asian cooking
CulinaryHong Kong Yu Choy is a staple in Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine, prized for its tender leaves and mild, slightly sweet flavor. The entire plant—leaves and stems—can be quickly stir-fried with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for an authentic side dish. [source]
Fresh salads and raw consumption
CulinaryYoung, tender leaves and stems can be eaten raw in salads for a mild, slightly sweet taste. The delicate texture makes it ideal for fresh preparations when harvested young. [source]
Nutritional support and antioxidants
MedicinalLike other brassicas, Hong Kong Yu Choy contains glucosinolates and vitamin C, compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, supporting immune and bone health. [source]
Soups and broths
CulinaryThe tender stems and leaves make excellent additions to soups, broths, and hot pots, adding mild flavor without overpowering other ingredients. Harvest mature stems for longer cooking times. [source]
Quick-growing succession crops
HouseholdHong Kong Yu Choy's 30-45 day maturity makes it ideal for succession planting every 2-3 weeks to provide continuous harvests throughout the growing season. It extends the availability of fresh greens with minimal garden space. [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 plants are 6-8 inches tall (30-35 days after planting) by pinching off outer leaves for continuous picking, or cut the entire plant 1-2 inches above soil level for regrowth. Harvest in the morning for best tenderness and flavor. For maximum tenderness, harvest before the plant reaches 12 inches or before bolting begins. Hong Kong Yu Choy can provide 2-3 harvests from one planting if outer leaves are picked selectively.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Hong Kong Yu Choy is also known as Chinese broccoli or 'choy sum' and is a staple in Cantonese cuisine, where it appears on dim sum restaurant menus as a quick-cooked vegetable.
- 🌱 Despite its common name referring to Hong Kong, this plant is grown throughout China, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian countries, with subtle regional variations in cultivation and preparation.
- 🌱 The plant is notably cool-season adapted and can tolerate light frosts, making it an excellent choice for extending the growing season into spring and fall in temperate climates.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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