How to Grow Yu Choy Sum
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Yu Choy Sum
Brassica rapa subsp. parachinensis
vegetableYu choy sum is a leafy Asian green featuring tender flowering shoots and thick, succulent petioles (leaf stems). It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and is prized in Chinese cuisine for its versatility in stir-fries and soups. The plant produces edible flower buds and leaves simultaneously, offering multiple harvests.
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Example Yu Choy Sum timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Yu Choy Sum
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 Yu Choy Sum
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Cool-season crop best in zones 4-9; can grow year-round in zones 9-10
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Get my Yu Choy Sum timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves (2-3 weeks old). Plant is delicate and low-growing.
Maintain consistent moisture, avoid waterlogging. Provide bright light if starting indoors. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once true leaves appear.
Vegetative Growth
2-3 weeksMultiple true leaves develop along thick central stems. Plant grows bushy with 4-6 leaves visible. Stems thicken and become succulent.
Maintain steady moisture and nutrients. Apply organic fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Remove any yellowing lower leaves. Monitor for pests.
Bolting/Flowering Initiation
1-2 weeksCentral flower shoot begins elongating from the center of the plant. Small buds form at the base of flower stalks. Plant height increases noticeably.
Increase watering frequency to support rapid growth. Apply balanced fertilizer to support flowering. This stage marks the beginning of harvestability.
Flowering & Harvest-Ready
2-3 weeksSmall yellow or white flower buds cluster on terminal ends of shoots. Stems are thick, tender, and prime for harvesting. Plant reaches 10-15 inches tall.
Begin harvesting outer shoots when buds are tight but before flowers open. Continued harvesting stimulates new shoot production. Water regularly to maintain stem quality.
Over-maturity
1+ weeksFlowers open and bloom, leaves may become tougher, plant begins senescence. Regrowth slows in hot weather.
If quality declines, harvest remaining shoots and replant. In cool weather, plant may continue producing smaller shoots. Pull spent plants to prevent bolting seed.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers before infestation. Hand-pick caterpillars. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or spinosad if needed.
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Deploy row covers on young plants. Use kaolin clay spray. Neem oil or spinosad for heavy infestations.
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Strong water spray to dislodge. Insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Yellow sticky traps. Neem oil or insecticidal soap spray, especially on leaf undersides.
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and
Hand-pick in early morning/evening. Beer traps. Diatomaceous earth barriers. Remove garden debris.
Uses
Stir-fries and quick cooking
CulinaryYu choy sum is a staple in Chinese stir-fries, valued for its tender stems and mild flavor that absorb aromatics like garlic and ginger. The shoots cook quickly (2-3 minutes) and can be added whole or cut into manageable pieces. [source]
Soups and broths
CulinaryThe thick, succulent stems and edible buds add body and nutrition to clear broths, congee, and hot soups, particularly in Asian cuisine. The mild flavor complements both light and rich broths. [source]
Nutritional and anti-inflammatory support
MedicinalYu choy sum is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, plus calcium and iron. Compounds in brassicas have been studied for potential anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventive properties. [source]
Side dish or vegetable medley
CulinaryLightly blanched or sautéed with oyster sauce, sesame oil, or simple olive oil and garlic, yu choy sum serves as an elegant and nutritious side dish. [source]
Spring/cool-season succession planting
HouseholdYu choy sum is ideal for spring and fall gardens in temperate zones and winter/spring growing in warm climates, providing fresh greens during seasons when other vegetables are limited. [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 flower buds are tight and shoots are 6-10 inches long, typically 45-60 days after transplanting. Cut shoots from the outside of the plant, working inward, leaving the center intact for continued growth. Cut just above a leaf node to encourage branching. Harvest in the morning after dew dries for best texture. Successive plantings every 2-3 weeks ensure continuous supply. Plants typically produce 2-4 harvests before declining in quality.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Yu choy sum means 'the tender greens of the oil vegetable' in Cantonese; it's a rapid-maturing Brassica and more heat-tolerant than some Asian greens like bok choy.
- 🌱 Unlike some brassicas that bolt quickly in heat, yu choy sum can be grown year-round in mild climates and actually benefits from cool weather stress, developing sweeter, more tender shoots.
- 🌱 The plant produces multiple harvests from a single planting—each cut shoot stimulates 2-3 new shoots to emerge from lateral buds, potentially extending the productive season from 4-8 weeks with proper management.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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