leafy green
EdibleBok Choy / Pak Choi
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Considered non-toxic to cats and dogs (source: ASPCA (not listed; brassica)).
Some direct sun — an east or west window, or a few hours of direct light.
Keep evenly moist — water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Forgiving and beginner-friendly.
Bok choy is a quick, beginner-friendly Asian green that does well in a cool, bright spot. Grow it as baby heads or pick outer leaves to extend the harvest.
About Bok Choy / Pak Choi
Bok choy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) is a quick cabbage-family green grown for its crisp white stalks and tender leaves. It comes from China, where it has long been a staple of stir-fries and soups. It works well in a rental because it's fast and small. You can pull baby heads in about a month from a 4-litre pot, or pick outer stalks over a longer stretch, and the leftover root base will often resprout a small new rosette in a glass of water.
It does best somewhere cool and bright, though medium light and a grow light are enough. The main thing to manage is bolting. Heat or a sudden cold shock pushes it to flower early, which cuts the harvest short, so keep conditions steady. Even moisture also keeps the stalks crisp rather than stringy. Most plants are ready to harvest somewhere between 30 and 50 days.
What it’s like to grow
Bok choy is beginner-friendly and quick, but it doesn't like to be rushed by temperature swings. The clearest sign of trouble is bolting: a flower stalk shooting up early usually traces back to heat or a cold snap. Keep it evenly moist so the stalks stay crisp instead of fibrous. If it ever spends time outside, watch for flea-beetle pinholes and cabbage worms. It's non-toxic to cats and dogs. A solid choice for anyone who wants a fast, compact crop and doesn't mind harvesting young.
What to expect
First harvest in about 30–50 days. It’s forgiving, so it’s a good one to learn on. No sunny window? It also does fine under a clip-on grow light.
See what you’ll need to get started ↓♻ Regrow from scraps
Stand the leftover root base in shallow water and a small new rosette regrows from the center for a partial second harvest.
Companions
Tips
- Keep it cool and evenly moist to discourage bolting.
- Harvest young as baby bok choy, or pick outer stalks first.
- Watch for slugs and cabbage pests if it ever goes outside.
Common problems
- Bolting to flower quickly in heat or after a cold shock.
- Tiny holes from flea beetles or cabbage worms on outdoor air.
Common questions
Is Bok Choy / Pak Choi toxic to cats and dogs?
Bok Choy / Pak Choi is non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it a safe pick if you have pets. Source: ASPCA (not listed; brassica).
How much light does Bok Choy / Pak Choi need?
Bok Choy / Pak Choi does best in medium, indirect light: near an east or west window, or a little back from a bright one. Direct midday sun can scorch it.
How often should I water Bok Choy / Pak Choi?
Water Bok Choy / Pak Choi when the top inch of soil feels dry, then let it drain. Aim for evenly moist, not soggy.
What temperature does Bok Choy / Pak Choi need?
Bok Choy / Pak Choi is happiest around 13–21 °C. It tolerates brief dips to about -4 °C, but cold drafts and sudden chills set it back.
How long does Bok Choy / Pak Choi take to grow?
Expect a first harvest about 30–50 days from sowing under good conditions. Fast-growing; baby heads in about a month, or harvest outer leaves for a longer cut-and-come-again supply.
Can I grow Bok Choy / Pak Choi without a sunny window?
Yes. Bok Choy / Pak Choi does well under an affordable clip-on grow light, so a bright window isn't essential.
How big does Bok Choy / Pak Choi get?
A compact leafy rosette ~0.15–0.25 m tall; space several across a pot.
How do I propagate Bok Choy / Pak Choi?
Sow seeds directly; keep cool and evenly moist to discourage early bolting.
What pests affect Bok Choy / Pak Choi?
Watch for flea beetles, aphids, cabbage worms and whitefly. Check new growth and the undersides of leaves often, and treat early with a rinse or insecticidal soap before they spread.
Is Bok Choy / Pak Choi easy to grow?
Yes. Bok Choy / Pak Choi is forgiving and one of the better plants to learn on.
Gear for Bok Choy / Pak Choi
Gear suggestions to get you started — general picks, not paid placements.
Pet-toxicity from the ASPCA. Care details are general guidance, not professional or veterinary advice; only eat plants you can positively identify as the edible plant and part described. Photo: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0). Care info last updated 2026-06-02.