Bok Choy
Photo: "Bok choy" by Peter Burka · CC BY-SA 2.0
Vegetable · Greens-asian

Bok Choy

Brassicaceae

MOST BOLT-PRONE variety in the entire category. DOUBLE BOLT TRIGGER: bolts from BOTH cold vernalization (exposure to temps below 50°F for several days) AND long day length. This creates a razor-thin spring planting window. Transplanted bok choy bolts more readily than direct-sown. App should STRONGLY RECOMMEND fall-only planting in zones 4-7. Baby bok choy varieties (30 days DTM) reduce bolt risk through fast maturity. 'Joi Choy' and 'Mei Qing Choi' are bolt-resistant.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity
45–60 days
Sun
4+ hours
Spacing
6–10 "
Container
Yes
1+ gallon pot

Zone Planting Guide

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 4–8 days
Optimal Temp 63°F
Seed Depth 0.25"

Watering

Weekly Water 1–1.5 "
Needs Moderate-consistent

Soil

pH Range 6–7

Resilience

Heat: Low Cold: Medium Drought: Low

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Moderate feeder

Harvest

Storage 7 days

Sources

university MSU Extension horticultural Northwest Edible Life seed-catalog Baker Creek extension Bok Choy Fact Sheet (Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension, PDF) extension Cool Season Greens Production (Oklahoma State University Extension, PDF)

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Bok Choy Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Bok Choy vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

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