How to Grow Purple Choy
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Purple Choy
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
vegetablePurple choy is an Asian brassica with dark purple stems and green-tinged leaves that offers both visual appeal and nutritional value. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor similar to regular bok choy but with added anthocyanin pigments. This cool-season crop grows quickly and is ideal for spring and fall gardening.
When should you plant Purple Choy in your zone?
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Example Purple Choy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Purple 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 Purple Choy
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple Choy dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 3-9; thrives in cool seasons, best in spring and fall
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Seedling
7-10 daysTiny purple-tinged cotyledons emerge, first true leaves appear with slight purple coloring
Keep soil moist; thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves; provide bright light to prevent leggy growth
Vegetative Growth
20-30 daysPurple stems develop and elongate; dark green leaves expand; plant grows low to ground with rosette formation
Water consistently; fertilize with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks; keep weeds controlled; monitor for pests
Mature Rosette
10-15 daysFull-sized plant with prominent purple stems and abundant dark green leaves; plant reaches 8-12 inches tall
Continue watering regularly; watch for bolting if temperatures rise; apply mulch to retain moisture and keep soil cool
Early Harvest
5-7 daysOuter leaves reach full size and tender; plant is still compact without flowering
Begin harvesting outer leaves; avoid disturbing roots; harvest before any flower buds form
Peak Harvest
7-14 daysPlant is at optimal size with tender, crisp leaves and vibrant purple stems
Harvest regularly to encourage continued production; remove entire head at soil level for a single harvest, or pick outer leaves for succession harvesting
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers for young plants; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; hand-pick if present; encourage parasitic wasps
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Use floating row covers; spray with neem oil; dust with diatomaceous earth; apply spinosad if severe
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Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil spray; encourage beneficial insects
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and
Hand-pick at dusk; copper tape barriers; beer traps; encourage ground beetles; remove plant debris
Uses
Stir-fry & Asian Cooking
CulinaryPurple choy is a staple in Asian cuisine, particularly in stir-fries, soups, and steamed dishes. Its mild flavor and tender stems absorb seasonings while maintaining a pleasant crunch. [source]
Fresh Salads & Raw Greens
CulinaryYoung, tender purple choy leaves add visual appeal and a slightly sweet taste to fresh salads and raw vegetable platters. The purple stems provide a crisp, delicate texture. [source]
Antioxidant & Nutritional Support
MedicinalPurple choy is rich in anthocyanins, vitamins C and K, and other phytonutrients. These compounds support cardiovascular health, bone strength, and provide anti-inflammatory benefits. [source]
Soups & Braised Dishes
CulinaryThe thick, tender stems of purple choy are excellent in soups, broths, and braised preparations where they soften while maintaining structure and visual appeal. [source]
Home Garden Production
HouseholdPurple choy is an efficient, fast-growing crop for home gardeners seeking quick nutrition. It thrives in small spaces and containers, making it ideal for balcony or apartment gardening. [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 leaves are tender and before the plant bolts. For continuous harvest, pick outer leaves from the bottom while leaving the center to grow; plant will continue producing. Alternatively, harvest the entire head 1-2 inches above soil level for a single yield. Morning harvest yields the crispest leaves. Purple choy is best harvested when 6-12 inches tall.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Purple choy's striking color comes from anthocyanin pigments, the same compounds that make blueberries and red cabbage purple, and these pigments increase in intensity under cooler temperatures.
- 🌱 Unlike heading cabbages, purple choy is a non-heading variety that can be harvested as 'cut-and-come-again,' with new leaves continuously regenerating from the center crown after outer leaves are removed.
- 🌱 Purple choy is also known as purple pak choi or Chinese mustard cabbage, and has been cultivated in Asia for thousands of years as both a food crop and traditional medicine ingredient.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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