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How to Grow Red Stem Yu Choy

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Red Stem Yu Choy

Brassica rapa subsp. parachinensis

vegetable

Red Stem Yu Choy is a leafy Asian green characterized by deep burgundy or reddish stems contrasting with dark green leaves. It belongs to the Chinese mustard family and is prized for its tender, slightly sweet flavor and ornamental appearance. The plant is quick-growing and highly nutritious, commonly used in stir-fries and Asian cuisines.

Looking for a specific variety?

Red Stem Purple Stem Hong Kong Red Choy Sum Nai Bai Taiwan Red

When should you plant Red Stem Yu Choy in your zone?

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Example Red Stem Yu Choy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Red Stem Yu Choy

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Red Stem Yu Choy

    Around May 22

    ≈ 35 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Red Stem Yu Choy dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to partial shade; 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Partial shade helps prevent bolting in warm seasons.
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply 2-3 times per week depending on temperature. In hot weather, increase frequency. Avoid overhead watering to reduce disease risk.
📏
Spacing: 6 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 35-50 days from transplant; 45-60 days from direct seed
🌱
Planting depth: 0.25

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost Aged manure Peat moss or coco coir Balanced NPK fertilizer (10-10-10)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-9; prefers cooler weather but adaptable across most of North America

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny cotyledons emerge with first true leaves appearing within 1-2 weeks. Red color begins to show faintly in stems.

Keep soil moist and maintain 60-70°F temperature. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct seeding.

2

Vegetative Growth

2-3 weeks

Plant develops 4-6 true leaves with increasingly prominent red stems and darker green foliage. Rapid leaf expansion occurs during this phase.

Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures (55-70°F). Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Mulch around base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

3

Mature Rosette

1-2 weeks

Plant reaches 8-12 inches tall with full rosette of leaves. Red stems are deeply colored and prominent. Leaf texture is tender and eating quality is at peak.

Monitor for pests and diseases. Water consistently. Harvest outer leaves to extend harvest period. Avoid excessive nitrogen which delays harvest.

4

Bolting

1-2 weeks

Flower stalk begins to elongate from center of rosette. Leaves become slightly tougher. Yellow flowers appear.

Harvest immediately before or during early bolting to capture best flavor. Cooler weather and partial shade delay bolting. Some gardeners allow flowering for ornamental value and seed saving.

5

Flowering & Seed Set

2-4 weeks

Tall yellow flower stalks with small clustered blooms. Plant redirects energy to seed production. Foliage becomes tough and bitter.

Plant is no longer suitable for eating at this stage. Allow to remain if collecting seeds. Provide support if needed. Self-seeds readily in warm weather.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Radish Carrots Beets Onions Garlic Leeks Lettuce Spinach Broccoli Mint Thyme

Avoid planting near:

Pole beans Fennel Rue Strawberries Tomatoes Cabbage family (same family—can compete and spread diseases) Mustard

Common Pests

  • Use row covers on young plants. Apply neem oil or spinosad. Encourage beneficial insects. Use diatomaceous earth. Plant trap crops like radish nearby.

  • Handpick caterpillars. Use row covers to prevent egg-laying. Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) every 7-10 days. Encourage parasitic wasps.

  • Spray with water to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Plant companion herbs like cilantro. Encourage ladybugs and lacewings.

  • Use yellow sticky traps. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Increase humidity and air circulation. Remove heavily infested leaves.

  • and

    Hand-pick in early morning or evening. Create beer traps. Use copper barriers or diatomaceous earth. Encourage ground beetles and toads.

  • Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Remove infected leaves. Apply sulfur or copper fungicide. Choose resistant varieties if available.

Uses

🍳

Stir-fries & Asian Cuisine

Culinary

Red Stem Yu Choy is a staple in Chinese cooking, particularly in Cantonese dishes. The tender leaves and mild, slightly sweet stems are perfect for quick stir-frying with garlic and oil. [source]

🍳

Fresh Salads & Raw Preparations

Culinary

Young, tender leaves can be eaten raw in salads, offering a slightly peppery flavor with attractive color contrast. The red stems add visual appeal and a crisp texture. [source]

💊

Nutritional Support & Antioxidants

Medicinal

Yu Choy is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. The red pigmentation indicates anthocyanins and other polyphenols with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. [source]

🍳

Soups & Braised Dishes

Culinary

Mature plants with larger stems are excellent for braising, steaming, or adding to soups where their slightly sweet flavor and tender texture shine. [source]

🏠

Ornamental Edible Gardening

Household

The striking red stems and dark green foliage make Yu Choy an attractive addition to ornamental vegetable gardens and edible landscape designs. [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 outer leaves when plant is 4-6 inches tall, about 30-40 days after planting. Cut leaves 1-2 inches above soil level to allow center to continue growing. Harvest in morning for maximum crispness and juice content. Can harvest entire plant at maturity (35-50 days) by cutting at soil line. Young, tender leaves are more flavorful than mature ones. Continuous harvesting extends productivity for 2-3 weeks.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Red Stem Yu Choy is also known as Chinese mustard greens or choy sum in Cantonese cuisine, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years.
  • 🌱 The deep red coloration in the stems develops more intensely in cooler temperatures and is an indicator of increased anthocyanin production—nature's way of protecting the plant from UV stress.
  • 🌱 Yu Choy can bolt and flower quite rapidly in warm weather, but the yellow flowers are actually edible and are prized as a delicacy in some Asian markets, with a slightly bitter, mustard-like flavor.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Bolt Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade pH True Leaves
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