Growing Pak Choi from Seed to Harvest: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Pak choi (also known as bok choy or Chinese cabbage) is a fast-growing, delicious leafy vegetable that adds crunch, colour, and nutrition to stir-fries, salads, and soups. Popular in Asian cuisine and now a favourite in many UK gardens, pak choi is easy to grow, productive, and ideal for small spaces, raised beds, or containers.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through the process of growing pak choi from seed to harvest—from choosing the right varieties and sowing the seeds to preventing bolting and harvesting perfect leafy heads for your kitchen.

Why Grow Pak Choi?

🌱 Fast-growing: Ready to harvest in as little as 30–45 days
🪴 Perfect for small gardens: Great in containers or raised beds
🥗 Dual-purpose: Harvest baby leaves or full heads
🧄 Versatile in the kitchen: Use raw or cooked in many dishes
❄️ Cold-tolerant: Can be grown spring, autumn, and even under cover in winter

Best Pak Choi Varieties to Grow in the UK

Variety	Best For	Notes
Joi Choi	Full-sized heads	Slow to bolt, thick white stems, mild flavour
Red Choi	Baby leaves or salads	Red-tinted leaves, ornamental and tasty
Green Revolution F1	Succession sowing	Fast-growing, tender leaves, good bolt resistance
Hanakan F1	Containers and small spaces	Compact, uniform growth
Mei Qing Choi	Summer growing	Heat-tolerant, crisp stalks

Tip: Mix green and red varieties for beautiful harvests and a longer growing season.

When to Grow Pak Choi in the UK

Sowing Period	Harvest Period
Spring (under cover)	March–April
Outdoor sowing	April–August
Autumn crop	August–September
Winter (under cover)	October–November

Pak choi grows best in cool conditions. Avoid midsummer sowing unless using bolt-resistant varieties or providing shade.

Where to Grow Pak Choi

Pak choi thrives in:

Raised beds or vegetable plots
Deep containers or window boxes
Under cover in polytunnels or cold frames
Shady spots during the height of summer

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil
Partial shade in summer
Full sun in spring and autumn
Sheltered location to avoid wind damage

How to Grow Pak Choi from Seed to Harvest

Step 1: Prepare the Soil or Compost

For Garden Beds or Raised Beds:

Enrich soil with well-rotted compost or organic matter
Rake to a fine tilth
Add a general-purpose fertiliser before sowing (e.g., Growmore or blood, fish & bone)

For Containers:

Use a rich multipurpose compost
Ensure pots are at least 20–25cm deep
Add vermiculite or perlite to improve drainage

Step 2: Sow the Seeds

Direct Sowing Outdoors:

Sow seeds 1cm deep in rows 25–30cm apart
Sow seeds 2–3cm apart, then thin as needed
Water the drills before and after sowing
Thin seedlings to 15–30cm apart depending on final size desired

Sowing Under Cover (Spring/Autumn/Winter):

Sow into seed trays or modules
Transplant when plants have 3–4 true leaves
Harden off before moving outdoors

Tip: Succession sow every 2–3 weeks for a continual supply of fresh greens.

Step 3: Care for Pak Choi Plants

Watering:

Keep soil consistently moist
Water early in the morning to avoid mildew
Avoid waterlogging—ensure good drainage

Feeding:

Feed fortnightly with a balanced liquid fertiliser or seaweed extract
Container plants benefit from regular feeding

Weeding and Mulching:

Keep beds weed-free
Apply mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature

How to Prevent Bolting in Pak Choi

Bolting (flowering early) is a common issue, especially in warm or dry conditions.

How to Prevent Bolting:

Sow at the right time (avoid high heat in midsummer)
Use bolt-resistant varieties like Joi Choi or Green Revolution
Water regularly to avoid drought stress
Provide light shade during hot periods
Harvest promptly—don’t let plants sit too long

Growing Pak Choi in Containers

Pak choi is ideal for patio and balcony growing.

Container Growing Tips:

Use pots at least 25cm deep and wide
Space plants 15–20cm apart
Ensure consistent watering and feeding
Use fleece or netting to protect from pests

Common Pak Choi Problems and Solutions

Problem	Symptoms	Solutions
Bolting	Early flowering, bitter leaves	Water regularly, sow at correct time, provide shade
Slugs and snails	Holes in leaves, damaged seedlings	Use organic slug pellets, copper tape, or beer traps
Flea beetles	Tiny holes in leaves	Use insect mesh, keep soil moist, apply neem spray
Cabbage whitefly	Sticky residue, white insects	Spray with insecticidal soap, encourage predators
Downy mildew	Yellow patches on leaves	Improve airflow, avoid overhead watering

Companion Planting with Pak Choi

Good Companions:

Carrots – don’t compete and help break up soil
Onions and garlic – deter pests
Beetroot – shares space well and improves soil structure
Nasturtiums – attract pests away from brassicas

Avoid Growing Near:

Other brassicas – can attract shared pests
Strawberries – compete for nutrients and space

When and How to Harvest Pak Choi

Baby Leaves (Cut-and-Come-Again):

Harvest 2–4 weeks after sowing
Snip outer leaves and let the centre regrow
Ideal for salads or stir-fries

Whole Heads:

Harvest when heads are 10–20cm tall, usually 4–6 weeks after sowing
Cut just above the base with a sharp knife
Leave the roots in the ground—sometimes a second flush will grow!

Using and Storing Pak Choi

Fresh Storage:

Store whole heads in a plastic bag in the fridge
Keeps fresh for up to 5 days
Use baby leaves within 2–3 days for best flavour

Cooking Ideas:

Stir-fry with garlic, soy sauce, and chilli
Add to ramen or miso soup
Steam and serve as a side vegetable
Use raw in Asian-style salads

Growing Pak Choi Through the Seasons

Spring:

Sow under cover in March for early crops
Harden off and plant out in April

Summer:

Use shade and mulch to prevent bolting
Choose bolt-resistant varieties

Autumn:

Sow late crops in August–September
Cover with fleece or cloches as temperatures drop

Winter (Under Cover):

Grow baby leaves in cold frames or greenhouses
Harvest small amounts throughout the season

Crop Rotation and Soil Health

As a brassica, pak choi should be rotated in your growing plan:

Avoid planting after other brassicas (e.g. cabbage, broccoli)
Rotate with legumes, roots, or alliums
Refresh soil with compost between plantings

Conclusion

Pak choi is one of the most rewarding vegetables you can grow—from seed to harvest in just a few weeks, beautiful to look at, and incredibly versatile in the kitchen. By following this simple guide, you can grow pak choi throughout much of the year, enjoying baby leaves or full heads in stir-fries, soups, or fresh salads.

Whether you’re growing in beds, containers, or polytunnels, pak choi is a must-have for any UK gardener looking to add flavour, nutrition, and colour to their homegrown harvests.