How to Grow Pak Choy and Tatsoi
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Pak Choy and Tatsoi
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (Pak Choy) and Brassica rapa subsp. narinosa (Tatsoi)
vegetablePak choy and tatsoi are fast-growing Asian brassicas prized for their tender, mild-flavored leaves and edible stalks. Both thrive in cool seasons and can be harvested as baby greens or mature plants, making them versatile for successive plantings. They are among the easiest and quickest vegetables to grow, ideal for beginners and market gardeners alike.
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Example Pak Choy and Tatsoi timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pak Choy and Tatsoi
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 Pak Choy and Tatsoi
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pak Choy and Tatsoi dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; best in cool-season regions (spring and fall). Can be grown year-round in zones 9-10.
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Get my Pak Choy and Tatsoi timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
7-14 daysSeeds sprout in 5-10 days. Cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge, followed by first true leaves. Plants are delicate and low to ground.
Keep soil consistently moist. Maintain cool temperatures (60-70°F ideal). Thin seedlings to proper spacing once 2-3 true leaves appear. Protect from slugs and snails.
Vegetative Growth
10-25 daysRapid leaf and stalk development. Plant becomes bushier with multiple lobes or spoon-shaped leaves depending on variety. Green foliage darkens.
Water regularly and deeply. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks or side-dress with compost. Monitor for flea beetles and aphids. Mulch to cool roots and retain moisture.
Early Harvest (Baby Greens)
20-30 days from sowingPlants are 4-8 inches tall with tender, mild leaves. Ideal for salads and stir-fries without cooking required.
Begin harvesting outer leaves or cut entire plant 1 inch above soil for regrowth. Provide consistent water and light feeding.
Maturity & Full Head Formation
30-50 days from sowingPlant reaches 8-12 inches (pak choy) or forms dense rosettes (tatsoi). Stalks thicken and become tender-crisp. Ready for full plant harvest.
Continue watering deeply. Apply final nitrogen boost if plants appear pale. Watch for bolting in warm weather (>75°F). Harvest before heat stress.
Bolting (End of Season)
Variable; accelerates in heatPlant sends up flower stalks and leaves become bitter and tougher. Indicates end of prime eating quality.
Harvest immediately if bolting begins. Compost plants or allow to flower for seed production (takes additional 6-8 weeks). Remove bolted plants to reduce pest habitat.
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. Reflective mulches deter beetles. Companion plant with tansy or nasturtium as trap crops.
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Blast off with water spray. Encourage beneficial insects (ladybugs, lacewings). Apply reflective mulch.
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and
(Pieris rapae, Trichoplusia ni)
Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray. Install row covers before moths lay eggs. Hand-pick caterpillars. Companion plant with garlic or chives.
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Remove debris and mulch where they hide. Use beer traps or copper tape around beds. Hand-pick at night. Apply diatomaceous earth around plants.
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Use yellow sticky traps. Encourage parasitic wasps. Reflective mulch can confuse adults.
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Apply Bt sprays. Use row covers. Remove by hand. Encourage natural predators.
Uses
Stir-fries and Asian Cuisine
CulinaryPak choy and tatsoi are staples in Asian cooking, particularly Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai cuisines. Their tender leaves and crisp stalks cook quickly in high-heat stir-fries, soups, and noodle dishes, absorbing flavors while maintaining texture. [source]
Raw Salads and Baby Greens
CulinaryBaby pak choy and tatsoi leaves are mild, slightly sweet, and tender enough to eat raw in salads. They provide a delicate Asian vegetable option compared to stronger-flavored brassicas like mustard greens. [source]
Nutrition and Cancer Prevention
MedicinalBrassicas like pak choy and tatsoi contain glucosinolates, compounds that convert to cancer-fighting isothiocyanates when chewed or cooked. They are also rich in vitamins C and K, beta-carotene, and calcium, supporting immune and bone health. [source]
Succession Planting and Year-Round Production
HouseholdDue to their 30-50 day maturity and ability to regrow from leaf harvesting, pak choy and tatsoi enable continuous harvest through succession planting every 2-3 weeks. They are ideal for winter gardening in mild climates and extend the harvest season significantly. [source]
Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeWhen allowed to bolt and flower, pak choy and tatsoi produce attractive white or yellow flowers that provide early-season nectar and pollen for bees and beneficial insects. Their flowers support honeybees and native pollinators. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
For baby greens (20-30 days): Cut entire plant 1 inch above soil with scissors or knife to allow regrowth, or harvest outer leaves only. For mature pak choy (35-50 days): Harvest whole plant by cutting at base when heads are firm but before bolting. For mature tatsoi (35-50 days): Cut entire rosette or harvest outer leaves for continued production. Early morning harvest has best flavor and crispness. Peak flavor occurs in cool weather (50-70°F); avoid harvesting in hot afternoons. Plants can produce multiple harvests if leaves are picked carefully.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Pak choy and tatsoi were domesticated in China over 1,500 years ago and remain among the fastest-growing vegetables in the world, making them ideal for rapid crop turnover and urban gardening.
- 🌱 Tatsoi leaves grow in a distinctive spoon or paddle shape and form dense rosettes close to the ground, earning it the nickname 'rosette bok choy,' and it tolerates cold and frost better than pak choy, surviving light freezes.
- 🌱 Both vegetables can be harvested at multiple growth stages—from 20-day baby greens to 50-day mature plants—allowing gardeners to choose between tender, mild-flavored young leaves and heartier, more substantial stalks depending on culinary preference.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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