How to Grow Gai Lan in Australia
A cool-season brassica crop for the home garden
Growing Gai Lan rewards a little local know-how, and in the right season the plants do most of the work for you. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$2-4/week, Chinese broccoli is expensive and rare in supermarkets.
This guide covers when to plant Gai Lan in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Gai Lan is a cool-season crop, half-hardy (it takes light frost but not a hard freeze). In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July, August and September. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Kailaan (White Flower)
Traditional Chinese variety, thick sweet stems, white flowers, all parts edible young. The stir-fry classic.
Try: Green Harvest, Eden Seeds, Asian grocers
Green Lance F1
Modern hybrid, fast, uniform, long harvest window. Compact for smaller beds.
Try: Mr Fothergill's, Green Harvest
Position and Soil
Give Gai Lan full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6.5 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 25cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed on the surface, barely covered. Thin or space plants to about 25 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 7 days, fastest when the soil is between 15 and 25 degrees.
Chinese broccoli, thick edible stems, leaves and florets all eaten together. Faster than regular broccoli. Net against cabbage moth.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 5 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Cabbage moth and Aphids. The main diseases to watch are Clubroot and Black rot. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Gai Lan is typically ready to harvest in roughly 8 weeks. Fridge in a damp cloth, up to 4 days.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, gai lan is good blanched and served with oyster sauce, stir-fried with ginger and garlic, added to congee and noodle soups and steamed as a side dish. Nutritionally: good source of vitamins A, C and K and contains calcium and iron.
Companion Planting
Gai Lan grows well alongside Beetroot, Onion and Dill. Keep it away from Tomato and Strawberry. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Gai Lan Growing
Add gai lan to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Gai Lan in Australia?
Gai Lan is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July, August and September. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Gai Lan take to grow?
Gai Lan is generally ready to harvest in roughly 8 weeks.
Can I grow Gai Lan in a pot?
Yes. Gai Lan grows well in a container of 25cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Gai Lan need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Gai Lan in the Plant Library
