How to Grow Bok Choy in Australia
Fast, productive, and perfect for stir-fries straight from the garden
Bok choy (also spelled pak choi) is one of the fastest vegetables you can grow. Baby varieties are ready to eat in about 30 days. Full-size plants take 45 to 60 days. It grows well in garden beds, raised beds, and containers, making it suitable for any sized space.
This Chinese cabbage has become a staple in Australian kitchens. It is mild, crunchy, and versatile in cooking. The good news for home gardeners is that it grows easily in most Australian climates, especially during the cooler months when many other crops struggle.
Baby Bok Choy vs Full-Size Bok Choy
These are different varieties, not just different harvest stages of the same plant. Understanding the distinction matters for planning.
Baby bok choy (Shanghai type)
Shanghai bok choy has pale green stems and spoon-shaped leaves. Plants reach 15 to 20 cm tall at maturity. They are ready to harvest in 30 to 35 days from sowing. The stems are tender and do not need peeling. Baby bok choy is the variety most commonly sold in supermarkets and Asian grocers.
Baby varieties are more heat-tolerant than full-size types. They are also better suited to container growing because of their compact size. You can fit 9 to 12 plants in a standard 40 cm pot.
Full-size bok choy (Canton type)
Canton bok choy has thick white stems and dark green leaves. Plants grow 25 to 40 cm tall and need 45 to 60 days to mature. The stems are thicker and crunchier than baby varieties. Full-size bok choy is better for soups and braised dishes where you want the stems to hold their structure during cooking.
Full-size varieties are more cold-tolerant but bolt faster in warm weather. They need more space (25 to 30 cm between plants) and more water than baby types.
When to Plant Bok Choy in Australia
Bok choy prefers cool weather but will grow in mild warmth if kept well watered. The best planting times depend on your region:
- Tropical (Darwin, Cairns, Townsville): Plant from April to August. The wet season is too hot and humid.
- Subtropical (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast): Plant from March to September. Bok choy grows year-round in SEQ with shade cloth protection in summer.
- Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): Plant from September to April, avoiding December and January in hot years.
- Cool climate (Hobart, Canberra, highlands): Plant from October to March. Protect from frost with fleece or cloches in early spring and late autumn.
The ideal temperature range for bok choy is 15 to 22 degrees. Growth slows below 10 degrees and bolting risk increases sharply above 26 degrees.
How to Sow Bok Choy
Direct sowing (recommended)
Bok choy has a taproot that does not love being disturbed. Direct sowing into the garden bed gives the best results and lowest bolting risk. Sow seeds 5 mm deep in rows 20 to 30 cm apart. Thin seedlings to 10 cm apart for baby varieties or 25 cm for full-size types once they have two true leaves.
Raising seedlings
If you prefer to start in seed trays, use deep cells or tubes to accommodate the taproot. Transplant at the 3 to 4 leaf stage (about 2 to 3 weeks after sowing). Handle roots gently and water in immediately. Transplant in the late afternoon to reduce shock.
Succession planting
Sow a small batch every 2 to 3 weeks for a continuous harvest through the growing season. Succession planting is especially important with bok choy because it matures quickly and does not hold well in the garden once it reaches peak size.
Soil and Position
Bok choy is not fussy about soil, but it grows fastest in rich, moisture-retentive ground. Mix in plenty of compost before planting. A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal.
Full sun is fine in winter and cool climates. In warmer regions or during the transition months, provide afternoon shade. A spot that gets morning sun and is shaded from 1 pm onward works well. You can also use 30% shade cloth over a frame.
Keep the soil consistently moist. Bok choy is roughly 95% water by weight, so it needs a steady supply. Mulch around plants with sugar cane mulch or straw to keep roots cool and reduce evaporation.
Feeding
Bok choy is a leafy green, so nitrogen is the priority nutrient. Apply a balanced organic fertiliser at planting time and side-dress with a nitrogen-rich feed (blood and bone, fish emulsion, or diluted worm tea) every 2 weeks.
Do not overfeed. Too much nitrogen makes leaves soft and prone to pest damage. A moderate, consistent feeding schedule produces the best balance of fast growth and firm, crunchy stems.
Preventing Bolting
Bolting (running to flower) is the biggest challenge with bok choy. Once it bolts, the stems turn tough and bitter. These strategies reduce bolting risk:
- Direct sow instead of transplanting. Root disturbance triggers bolting. If you must transplant, do it when seedlings are small and keep as much root ball intact as possible.
- Water consistently. Irregular watering stresses the plant and signals it to reproduce. Keep soil evenly moist, never waterlogged.
- Grow in the right season. Bok choy that experiences temperatures above 26 degrees for several consecutive days will bolt regardless of other conditions.
- Choose bolt-resistant varieties. Shanghai Green, Mei Qing Choi, and Joi Choi are bred for slower bolting.
- Harvest early. Pick baby bok choy at 30 days and full-size at 45 days rather than waiting for maximum size.
Growing Bok Choy in Containers
Bok choy is one of the best vegetables for container growing. Baby varieties especially thrive in pots because of their compact root system and fast maturity.
Use a container at least 20 cm deep and as wide as you can manage. A standard 40 cm pot fits 9 to 12 baby bok choy plants. A long trough planter works even better because it gives you a row to harvest from.
Use a premium potting mix with added compost. Container-grown bok choy needs more frequent watering than in-ground plants because pots dry out faster. Check the soil daily and water when the top 2 cm feels dry.
Position containers where they get morning sun. Move them to a shadier spot if temperatures climb above 25 degrees. This is one of the big advantages of container growing; you can relocate plants to suit the conditions.
Pest Management
Bok choy belongs to the brassica family, so it attracts the same pests as cabbage and broccoli.
Cabbage white butterfly
The green caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly are the number one pest. They chew holes through leaves and can destroy a crop in days. The most effective control is fine mesh netting (insect exclusion fabric) draped over a frame so butterflies cannot reach the plants to lay eggs. Check under leaves regularly and pick off any caterpillars you find. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray is effective if caterpillars get through.
Slugs and snails
Bok choy is a slug magnet, especially young seedlings. Iron-based snail pellets are safe for the garden and effective. Beer traps work too. Go out with a torch after dark and pick them off by hand for the most immediate results. Read our full pest management guide for more options.
Aphids
Aphids cluster on the underside of leaves and in the heart of the plant. A strong jet of water from the hose knocks most of them off. Neem oil spray applied in the evening controls persistent infestations. Encourage ladybirds and lacewings by planting flowering herbs nearby.
Harvesting
You have two options for harvesting bok choy:
- Cut-and-come-again. Pick individual outer leaves as needed, leaving the centre to keep growing. This works well for baby bok choy and extends the harvest over several weeks.
- Whole plant. Cut the entire plant at the base when it reaches the desired size. This is the standard method for full-size varieties.
Harvest in the morning when stems are crisp and full of water. Bok choy wilts quickly after picking, so use it within a day or two. It stores in the fridge for up to a week wrapped in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag.
Cooking with Bok Choy
Bok choy is a kitchen workhorse. Baby bok choy can be halved or quartered and stir-fried, steamed, or added to soups in the last few minutes of cooking. The stems stay crunchy while the leaves wilt to a silky texture.
Common uses include stir-fries with garlic and oyster sauce, added to ramen or pho, steamed with ginger and soy, braised in chicken stock, or added raw to salads when the leaves are young and tender.
Full-size bok choy works well in slow-cooked dishes. The thick white stems hold up to braising and add a clean, mild flavour.
Track Your Bok Choy Plantings
The Planting Season app tells you exactly when to plant bok choy in your region and sends reminders for succession sowings.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
How long does bok choy take to grow?
Baby bok choy is ready to harvest in 30 to 35 days from sowing. Full-size varieties take 45 to 60 days. In warm climates like South East Queensland, you can grow bok choy year-round with succession plantings every 2 to 3 weeks.
Why does my bok choy keep bolting?
Bok choy bolts (runs to seed) when stressed by sudden temperature changes, hot weather above 26 degrees, irregular watering, or transplant shock. Prevent bolting by sowing directly, keeping soil consistently moist, and growing it in the cooler months. Bolt-resistant varieties like Shanghai Green also help.
Can you grow bok choy in pots?
Yes. Bok choy grows well in containers at least 20 cm deep. Baby varieties are perfect for pots. Use a quality potting mix, keep the soil moist, and position the pot where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade in warmer months.
What pests attack bok choy?
The main pests are cabbage white butterfly caterpillars, slugs and snails, and aphids. Use fine mesh netting to exclude butterflies, pick slugs off at night or use iron-based pellets, and blast aphids off with a hose or use neem oil spray.
When should I plant bok choy in Australia?
In subtropical and tropical regions, plant from March to September (autumn through winter). In temperate regions, plant from September to April, avoiding the hottest months. In cool climates, plant from October to March. Baby bok choy is more heat-tolerant than full-size varieties.
