How to Grow Pak Choi Mei Qing Choi
Wikimedia Commons
Pak Choi Mei Qing Choi
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
vegetableMei Qing Choi is a compact, tender Asian greens variety of pak choi with small, tender leaves and thin white stems. It matures quickly and offers a mild, slightly sweet flavor perfect for stir-fries and raw salads. This dwarf cultivar is ideal for home gardeners and containers due to its small size.
When should you plant Pak Choi Mei Qing 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 Pak Choi Mei Qing Choi timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Pak Choi Mei Qing Choi
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Pak Choi Mei Qing Choi
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pak Choi Mei Qing Choi dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; best grown as cool-season crop in spring and fall
Sign up free to see if Pak Choi Mei Qing Choi grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Pak Choi Mei Qing Choi timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
7-10 daysTiny seed leaves emerge with 2-3 true leaves visible. Plant is delicate and bright green.
Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once true leaves appear. Protect from strong winds and direct afternoon heat.
Vegetative Growth
15-20 daysPlant develops multiple leaves and begins forming the characteristic compact rosette. White stems become more prominent.
Thin to final spacing of 6 inches. Water consistently. Apply thin layer of compost mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Side-dress with balanced fertilizer at 3 weeks.
Pre-Harvest Maturity
8-15 daysPlant reaches 4-6 inches tall with tender, full leaves and white stems. Center begins to tighten slightly into a loose head.
Maintain consistent watering. Watch for bolting in hot weather—harvest before temperatures exceed 75°F consistently. Continue to monitor for pests.
Harvest-Ready
Ready to harvest; use within 1-2 days of peak readinessPlant is fully mature at 4-8 inches tall with crisp, tender leaves and prominent white petioles (stems). Leaves are at peak tenderness.
Harvest immediately when ready. Plant is most tender when young; delay harvesting past this stage for best quality. Can do cut-and-come-again harvesting of outer leaves.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Use floating row covers immediately after planting. Spray neem oil or spinosad. Plant companion herbs like dill and cilantro. Remove infested leaves.
-
and
(Plutella xylostella, Trichoplusia ni)
Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray every 7-10 days. Hand-pick visible caterpillars. Use row covers until flowering of nearby plants. Companion plant with nasturtiums.
-
Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Use yellow sticky traps. Encourage natural predators. Increase air circulation.
-
Strong water spray to dislodge. Neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7 days. Encourage ladybugs and lacewings. Remove heavily infested leaves.
-
and
Hand-pick in early morning or evening. Use copper tape around containers. Beer traps. Remove garden debris and mulch where they hide. Diatomaceous earth barrier.
Uses
Stir-fries and Asian cuisine
CulinaryMei Qing Choi is a staple in Asian cooking, particularly Chinese stir-fries. Its tender leaves and mild flavor make it ideal for quick cooking over high heat, absorbing garlic, ginger, and soy sauce flavors beautifully. [source]
Fresh salads and raw applications
CulinaryThe tender, delicate leaves are excellent raw in mixed green salads or as a stand-alone salad with light vinaigrettes. The crisp white stems add textural interest and a subtle sweetness. [source]
Soups and braised dishes
CulinaryPak choi retains its structure well in soups, broths, and braised dishes. Whole or halved plants can be added to vegetable or chicken broths for nutritious, quick-cooking meals. [source]
Nutritional and health benefits
MedicinalPak choi is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and glucosinolates—compounds with potential anti-cancer properties. Regular consumption supports bone health, immune function, and contains folate for cell division. [source]
Pollinator and beneficial insect support
WildlifeIf allowed to bolt and flower, pak choi produces small yellow flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. Flowering plants also support beneficial insects that control garden pests. [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 plants reach 4-8 inches tall, approximately 30-45 days after planting. Cut entire plant at soil level with a sharp knife, or use cut-and-come-again method by removing outer leaves while leaving the center to continue growing. Harvest in early morning for peak crispness and tenderness. Plants bolt quickly in hot weather (above 75°F), so time spring and fall plantings accordingly. Use within 1-2 days of harvest for best texture and flavor. Successive plantings every 2-3 weeks ensure continuous harvest.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Mei Qing Choi is a relatively recent cultivar developed in Taiwan in the 1990s specifically for quick maturity and tender texture, making it more refined than traditional pak choi varieties.
- 🌱 The white stems of pak choi are actually petioles (leaf stalks), which stay tender because the plant matures before they have time to become fibrous.
- 🌱 Pak choi is one of the fastest-maturing Asian greens, ready to harvest in as little as 30 days, making it perfect for succession planting throughout the season.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Pak Choi Mei Qing Choi planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Pak Choi Mei Qing 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 Pak Choi Mei Qing Choi timeline →