Top 20 Varieties of Chinese Cabbage to Grow: Tips, Advice, and Facts

Chinese cabbage, also known as Napa cabbage or Chinese leaves, is a cool-season vegetable that’s incredibly versatile in the kitchen. It’s widely used in stir-fries, soups, salads, and for making kimchi. Chinese cabbage has a mild, sweet flavor and a crunchy texture, making it a favorite for fresh and cooked dishes. Growing Chinese cabbage is relatively easy, especially in cooler seasons, and there are many varieties to choose from, ranging from the classic Napa types to smaller, compact varieties. Here’s your guide to the top 20 Chinese cabbage varieties to grow, with helpful tips, facts, and answers to common questions.

Top 20 Chinese Cabbage Varieties to Grow

1. Wong Bok

Tips: Wong Bok grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves crisp and tender.
Facts: This classic Napa cabbage variety produces large, barrel-shaped heads with light green leaves and a mild, sweet flavor. It’s perfect for making kimchi, stir-fries, or salads.

2. Michihili

Tips: Michihili prefers cool weather and rich, moist soil. Water consistently to ensure tender leaves.
Facts: This heirloom variety produces long, cylindrical heads with crisp, light green leaves. It has a sweet, mild flavor and is perfect for stir-fries, soups, and salads.

3. Hilton

Tips: Hilton thrives in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Mulch to retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
Facts: This Napa cabbage variety produces large, dense heads with a sweet, mild flavor and crunchy texture. It matures in about 70-80 days and is great for fresh eating or cooking.

4. Tokyo Bekana

Tips: Tokyo Bekana grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and crisp.
Facts: This loose-leaf variety produces tender, light green leaves with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It’s great for fresh salads, stir-fries, or sautéing.

5. Blues F1

Tips: Blues F1 thrives in cool weather and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently and mulch to retain moisture.
Facts: This hybrid variety produces uniform, dense heads with dark green outer leaves and a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 70-80 days and is perfect for fresh eating or cooking.

6. Kaboko

Tips: Kaboko prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure even growth and tender leaves.
Facts: This hybrid Napa cabbage variety produces large, tight heads with sweet, tender leaves. It’s ideal for making kimchi, stir-fries, or soups.

7. China Express

Tips: China Express grows best in full sun and fertile soil. Water regularly and mulch to retain moisture.
Facts: This fast-growing variety produces medium-sized, crisp heads with a mild, sweet flavor. It matures in about 60-70 days and is perfect for fresh eating or cooking.

8. Monument

Tips: Monument thrives in cool weather and rich soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves tender and crisp.
Facts: This variety produces large, elongated heads with light green leaves and a mild, sweet flavor. It’s great for fresh eating, stir-fries, or kimchi.

9. Emiko

Tips: Emiko grows well in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently and mulch to retain moisture.
Facts: This hybrid variety produces uniform, medium-sized heads with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 70-80 days and is perfect for fresh eating, cooking, or fermenting.

10. Spring Crisp

Tips: Spring Crisp prefers full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves crisp and tender.
Facts: This early-maturing variety produces small, crisp heads with a mild, sweet flavor. It’s great for fresh salads, stir-fries, or soups.

11. Bilko F1

Tips: Bilko F1 grows best in cool weather with regular watering. Mulch to keep the roots cool and retain moisture.
Facts: This hybrid variety produces medium to large heads with pale green leaves and a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 70-75 days and is perfect for fresh eating or fermenting.

12. Red Dragon

Tips: Red Dragon thrives in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure the leaves stay tender.
Facts: This variety produces unique red-tinted leaves with a sweet, mild flavor and crisp texture. It’s perfect for adding color to salads or stir-fries.

13. Optiko

Tips: Optiko prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the heads firm and tender.
Facts: This hybrid variety produces large, uniform heads with a sweet, mild flavor and crunchy texture. It’s ideal for making kimchi, stir-fries, or soups.

14. Rubicon

Tips: Rubicon grows well in full sun with regular watering. Mulch to retain moisture and keep the leaves crisp.
Facts: This hybrid Napa cabbage variety produces large, dense heads with tender leaves and a sweet, mild flavor. It’s great for fresh eating, cooking, or fermenting.

15. Osaka Shirona

Tips: Osaka Shirona prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the leaves tender and sweet.
Facts: This loose-leaf variety produces tender, green leaves with a mild, sweet flavor. It’s great for fresh salads, stir-fries, or sautéing.

16. China Gold

Tips: China Gold grows best in full sun and fertile soil. Water regularly to ensure even growth and tender leaves.
Facts: This early-maturing variety produces small to medium-sized heads with a sweet, mild flavor. It’s perfect for fresh eating, stir-fries, or making kimchi.

17. Yuki

Tips: Yuki thrives in full sun and rich, moist soil. Water consistently to keep the leaves crisp and tender.
Facts: This hybrid variety produces medium-sized heads with pale green leaves and a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 70-75 days and is great for fresh eating or cooking.

18. Grand Regent

Tips: Grand Regent grows well in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly and mulch to retain moisture.
Facts: This variety produces large, crisp heads with a mild, sweet flavor. It matures in about 65-75 days and is perfect for fresh eating or cooking.

19. Matsushima

Tips: Matsushima prefers cool weather and fertile, well-drained soil. Water consistently to ensure tender, crisp heads.
Facts: This heirloom variety produces large, cylindrical heads with pale green leaves and a sweet, mild flavor. It’s ideal for fresh eating, cooking, or fermenting.

20. Soloist

Tips: Soloist grows best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the heads firm and tender.
Facts: This early-maturing hybrid variety produces small to medium-sized heads with a sweet, mild flavor. It matures in about 45-55 days and is perfect for fresh salads, stir-fries, or soups.

Common Questions About Growing Chinese Cabbage

Q: When should I plant Chinese cabbage?
A: Chinese cabbage is a cool-season crop that should be planted in early spring for a summer harvest or in late summer for a fall harvest. It grows best in temperatures between 55-75°F (13-24°C).

Q: Can I grow Chinese cabbage in containers?
A: Yes, Chinese cabbage can be grown in containers as long as the pots are at least 12-18 inches deep and wide, with good drainage. Smaller varieties like ‘Soloist’ or ‘Spring Crisp’ are particularly suited for container gardening.

Q: How long does Chinese cabbage take to grow?
A: Chinese cabbage typically takes 60-90 days to mature, depending on the variety. Early-maturing varieties like ‘Soloist’ may be ready in as little as 45-55 days, while larger types may take up to 90 days.

Q: How do I know when Chinese cabbage is ready to harvest?
A: Chinese cabbage is ready to harvest when the heads are firm and compact, usually when they reach 10-12 inches in height. For loose-leaf varieties, you can harvest the outer leaves as needed.

Q: How do I store harvested Chinese cabbage?
A: Freshly harvested Chinese cabbage can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage, you can wrap the heads in plastic to prevent moisture loss, or ferment the cabbage to make kimchi.