How to Grow Shanghai Bok Choy Summergreen
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Shanghai Bok Choy Summergreen
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
vegetableShanghai Bok Choy Summergreen is a heat-tolerant Asian brassica with tender, dark green leaves and thick, pale stalks that form loose rosettes. This variety is prized for its mild, slightly sweet flavor and ability to thrive in warm-season conditions, making it ideal for summer cultivation. The entire plant—leaves and stalks—is edible and matures quickly.
When should you plant Shanghai Bok Choy Summergreen 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 Shanghai Bok Choy Summergreen timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Shanghai Bok Choy Summergreen
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 Shanghai Bok Choy Summergreen
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Shanghai Bok Choy Summergreen dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-10; Summergreen variety is specifically bred for warm-season growth in zones 6-9
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Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds emerge in 5-10 days under warm conditions (65-75°F). True leaves appear within 2 weeks; seedlings develop 2-3 leaves.
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Thin to proper spacing once seedlings develop first true leaves. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops robust rosette of dark green leaves and pale stalks. Leaves become thick and succulent; plant fills out laterally.
Water consistently and deeply. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks or use compost tea. Maintain soil moisture to prevent bolting. Thin or prune outer leaves as plant develops.
Stalk Development
2-3 weeksCharacteristic thick, pale green or white stalks become prominent and fleshy. Leaf-to-stalk ratio improves, creating harvestable heads.
Continue consistent watering; mulch heavily to keep roots cool and prevent stress-induced bolting. Monitor for pests. Side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer if growth slows.
Harvest Ready
Harvest window 1-2 weeksPlant reaches 6-10 inches tall with tender stalks and crisp, mild-flavored leaves. Leaves remain deep green without yellowing.
Begin harvesting outer leaves or cut whole plant at soil line. Cooler parts of day (early morning or evening) have best flavor and texture. Cut before plant shows any sign of flower bolting.
Post-Harvest / Bolting
Bolting occurs rapidly in heat; 1-2 weeks to full floweringIf unharvested, plant will bolt (flower), developing yellow flowers and elongated seed stalks. Leaves become bitter and coarse.
Harvest immediately when plant appears to bolt. Remove bolting plants to clear space for succession plantings. Let 1-2 plants bolt if collecting seeds.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Row covers on young plants; Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; hand-pick caterpillars; encourage parasitoid wasps
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Row covers; insecticidal soap; neem oil; diatomaceous earth; reflective mulch; resistant varieties tolerate feeding
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Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil; introduce ladybugs and lacewings; avoid excessive nitrogen
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Yellow sticky traps; reflective mulch; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage natural predators
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and
Handpick at dusk; beer traps; copper barriers; diatomaceous earth; remove debris harboring slugs
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Row covers; floating row covers over young plants; avoid overwatering; rotate crops; encourage predatory ground beetles
Uses
Stir-fries & Asian cuisine
CulinaryShanghai Bok Choy is a staple in Asian cooking, prized for its tender stalks and mild flavor. Both leaves and stalks are eaten and cook quickly—perfect for wok cooking, steaming, or sautéing. [source]
Raw salads & fresh eating
CulinaryYoung, tender leaves and stalks are crisp and slightly sweet when eaten raw. Add to salads, slaws, or use as a crunchy vegetable for dipping. [source]
Soups & broths
CulinaryBok choy leaves and stalks add mild flavor and nutritional value to soups, broths, and hot pots. Stalks hold their texture through cooking. [source]
Nutritional & antioxidant support
MedicinalRich in vitamins A, C, and K, plus calcium, potassium, and glucosinolates (compounds studied for anti-cancer properties). Traditional Chinese medicine values bok choy for cleansing properties. [source]
Quick-growing succession crops
HouseholdSummergreen's 45-60 day maturity makes it ideal for succession planting every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer for continuous harvests through the season. [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 30-40 days after planting for continuous harvest, or wait 45-60 days and cut the entire plant 1-2 inches above soil level. Morning harvest yields crispest texture. For baby bok choy, harvest at 4-6 inches tall. Cut before hot afternoon temperatures. Do not harvest more than ⅓ of plant at once if doing leaf harvesting. Summergreen variety is less prone to bolting than standard varieties but should still be harvested promptly during heat waves.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Shanghai Bok Choy Summergreen was specifically developed and selected for superior heat tolerance compared to standard bok choy, making it one of the few brassicas that truly thrives in hot summers without immediate bolting.
- 🌱 The name 'bok choy' comes from Cantonese 'baak choi,' meaning 'white vegetable,' referring to the pale stalks; the Summergreen cultivar retains this characteristic lighter stalk color even in heat.
- 🌱 In just 45-60 days, a single bok choy plant can be harvested multiple times by removing outer leaves, making it one of the most productive vegetables per square foot in small gardens.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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