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Growing Different Varieties of Pak Choi (Bok Choy)

Snow Lam

Zone 10A FL: This is an-going plant documentary of the different varieties of bok choy (AKA pak choi) that I am growing or had tested in my little garden. I sell pak choi seeds as part of my $1 seed packets sale.

Bok Choy Varieties

Note: There are more than 20 bok choy varieties. I have found my favorite bok choy varieties to grow every year but also like to test new cultivars for a more heat-tolerant bok choy to last through the summer in Florida zone 10A.

Bok Choy Comparision ChartDownload

General information

  1. Common names: bok choy, pak choi
  2. For sale at Asian markets: Bok choys or pak choi are common Asian greens that are sold in every Southeast Asian markets I have been to. More varieties of bok choys are commonly available in Chinese & Taiwanese markets versus a Vietnamese market. Petite Shanghai bok choy commonly known as baby bok choy is the most common bok choy available at the markets.
  3. Cooking: Bok choys are great in stir fry and soups although I prefer the dwarf or petite varieties over the big varieties. The bigger the bok choy variety is, the more water the fat stems will release into the stir fry and soup. This easily makes the dish taste bland and watery.
  4. Growing: Bok choys are annuals grown from seeds. I like growing the petite or dwarf varieties because I can fit two or three seedlings in one of my vertical hanging pot. I just need to grow 10 to 12 seedlings per batch once a month and that would be enough for my husband and me to consume year round.
  5. Transplanting: Bok choy seedlings alcan be transplanted as soon the seedlings has a set of true leaves.
  6. Spacing: This all depends on the type and variety of bok choy you are growing. Shanghai type of bok choy can easily be grown in containers and need about 4 to 6 inches of space wheres Canton type or other varieties such as Winwin Choi or Taiwan bok choy will need a good 10 to 12 inches wide spacing for its mature size.
  7. Light requirement: Bok choys grow well in full sun, part sun, or indirect light. Well, at least for me in zone 10A.
  8. Soil median: I have been using my potting mix #2 and growing the pak choi in small pots or at a 4 to 6-inch raised beds. It will grow fine in the ground.
  9. Watering: All my grown pak choi are being watered by the sprinkler system three times a week for thirty minutes each time.
  10. Common Pests: Flea beetles
  11. Nutritious benefits: Please do your own research. 😂 This is the boring part for me. I grow what I eat.

About the Bok Choy Varieties

BC1: Petite F1 Shanghai Pak Choi

Petite F1 Shanghai bok choy is often referred as “baby bok choy” but there are more than one dwarf bok choy variety. I tested the seeds in December, January, and February and it has a high germination result in all those months. This is definitely a keeper in my garden.

Insert photo of plant in four stages (seedling, mature, bolting, flowering, and seed)
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BC2: Dwarf Canton Pak Choi

insert description – TBD – currently testing now

Insert photo of plant in four stages (seedling, mature, bolting, flowering, and seed)

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BC3: Fun Jen F1 Frilly Leaf Taiwanese Pak Choi

BC4: WawaQing F1 Shanghai Pak Choi

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BC5: Beijing Express F1 Romaine Pak Choi


BC6: Canton Pak Choi

4/3/23: This is the large size bok choy. I don’t like cooking or eating this variety. One mature Canton is enough to feed a family of 6 eaters.

BC7: Taiwan Pak Choi

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