Bok Choi

Bok Choi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) – 4–5 Inch Pot
Available in Jupiter, FL. at Urban Abundance.

Tender, fast-growing, and packed with flavor—Bok Choi (also spelled Bok Choy or Pak Choi) is a staple in cool-season South Florida gardens. With crisp white stems and dark green leaves, this Asian leafy green brings texture and mild, mustardy flavor to stir-fries, soups, and salads. A proud member of the Brassicaceae family, Bok Choi is a cool-season annual leafy vegetable that's fast to grow and quick to impress.

Sold in a 4–5 inch pot, this starter is perfect for raised beds, containers, or garden borders, and is often one of the first harvests of the season.

Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade—4–6 hours of sunlight daily is ideal, especially as spring warms up.
Watering Needs: Moderate. Keep soil consistently moist but well-drained. Avoid overhead watering to prevent rot.
Soil Requirements: Rich, loose, well-draining soil with compost added. Ideal pH is 6.0–7.0.
Growth Habit: Rosette of upright stems and broad leaves. Grows 10–14 inches tall.
Harvest Timing: Harvest baby bok choi as early as 30 days, or allow full heads to form in 45–60 days.
Cold Tolerance: Excellent. Performs beautifully from October to March in South Florida.
Special Features:

• Quick-growing and ideal for succession planting

• Can be harvested whole or leaf-by-leaf

• Great for small spaces and raised beds

• A fast favorite in any winter garden lineup

South Florida Notes: Bok Choi grows quickly in our cool season and bolts (flowers) early if temperatures swing too hot—plant in fall or early winter for best success. Pests like flea beetles and aphids are less active in the cooler months, but neem oil is an effective treatment if needed.

Next steps after purchase:

• Transplant into fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny to lightly shaded spot

• Space 8–12 inches apart depending on desired size

• Water regularly and mulch to retain moisture

• Fertilize lightly every 2–3 weeks

• Harvest outer leaves for continued growth or cut entire plant at the base

This is a cool-season annual—meaning it completes its life cycle in one growing season and can be replanted for continuous harvests.