Organic 'Shanghai Pak Choi' Chinese Cabbage

Common name Shanghai Pak Choi
Latin name Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Quantity per packet About 100 seeds

Organic Shanghai Pak Choi quickly produces abundant harvests of nutritious leaves and crisp stalks suitable for countless recipes. Its easy cultivation makes it an excellent choice for gardeners of all experience levels.

$4.49

Online price only.

Pay in 4 interest-free payments with
Share
Product information
Product
identification
Common nameShanghai Pak Choi
Latin nameBrassica rapa subsp. chinensis
FamilyBrassicaceae
TypeVegetable
CycleAnnual
Quantity per packAbout 100 seeds
Code produitBIOVO-0025
Product
description

Organic Shanghai Pak Choi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) is a fast-growing annual Asian vegetable valued for its fleshy, tender, crisp stalks and fresh-looking bright green foliage. Its compact habit forms attractive rosettes that fit easily into vegetable gardens, raised beds, and large containers on sunny patios. Ready to harvest about 40 days after sowing, it also brings ornamental value to edible landscapes. If allowed to flower, its small yellow blooms attract pollinators and add life to the garden.

Easy to grow, Shanghai Pak Choi can be direct sown from April through August in rich, cool, well-drained soil, ideally amended with mature compost. It grows well in full sun to partial shade, especially during warmer periods, to reduce stress and premature bolting. Regular watering is essential to keep leaves tender and stalks high quality. Well suited to spring and late-summer crops in Canada, it benefits from succession sowing to extend the harvest season.

Highly versatile in the kitchen, Organic Shanghai Pak Choi is delicious in Asian stir-fries, soups, broths, steamed dishes, and salads when harvested young. In the garden, it pairs well with Carrots, Radishes, and Peas while helping maximize small spaces thanks to its rapid growth. Its yellow flowers, when allowed to appear late in the crop cycle, attract bees and other beneficial insects. Productive, decorative, and nourishing, it is perfect for organic vegetable gardens, urban gardens, and gardeners seeking fast, flavorful harvests.

Sowing
guide
Sowing periodApril to August
Best time
April to August
Sowing depth1 cm to 1.5 cm (0.4 to 0.6 in.)
Germination temperature15 to 22 °C (59 to 72 °F)
Germination time5 to 10 days
Propagation
Propagated exclusively by seed. Seeds germinate quickly when the soil remains cool and consistently moist.
Growing
method
Direct sow from April through August in rich, cool, well-drained soil. Cover the seeds with 1 to 1.5 cm (0.4 to 0.6 in) of soil and keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination. Plant in full sun to partial shade to reduce heat stress during warm weather. Thin seedlings to encourage well-developed rosettes and water regularly to maintain rapid, even growth. Harvest entire young plants or pick outer leaves as needed for continuous production.
Soil
and care
ExposureFull sun to partial shade
Soil
Rich, cool, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Fertile, consistently moist soil promotes rapid growth and premium-quality harvests.
Soil pHSlightly acidic to neutral
Watering
Pak Choi requires consistently moist soil to maintain tender leaves and crisp stalks. Water stress can cause premature bolting and reduce harvest quality.
Fertilization
Apply well-rotted compost before sowing to encourage abundant foliage and thick, tender stalks. A light feeding during the growing season supports continuous harvests.
Care levelEasy
Keep the soil consistently cool and moist with regular watering and organic mulch. Harvest outer leaves as needed or cut the entire plant at maturity. Monitor for flea beetles and other brassica pests throughout the season. Make successive sowings to extend harvests. Rapid, uninterrupted growth produces the finest flavor and texture.
Container
growing
Recommended pot size
25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in)
Organic Shanghai Pak Choi grows exceptionally well in containers, raised beds, or directly in the vegetable garden thanks to its compact habit and rapid growth. A deep container filled with rich, consistently moist soil produces tender rosettes even on patios and balconies. This variety performs especially well in spring and late-summer plantings when temperatures are cooler. Its fast growth allows for multiple successive harvests throughout the season.
Bloom,
harvest
and garden
Its rapid growth provides tender, crisp leaves and stalks in just a few weeks. This variety offers outstanding culinary quality and repeated harvests throughout the season.
Organic Shanghai Pak Choi quickly produces abundant harvests of nutritious leaves and crisp stalks suitable for countless recipes. Its easy cultivation makes it an excellent choice for gardeners of all experience levels.
Garden use
Organic Shanghai Pak Choi is perfect for vegetable gardens, raised beds, and urban gardens where its rapid growth maximizes available space. Its lush foliage adds texture to edible landscapes while providing frequent harvests. Highly productive and easy to grow, it is an excellent choice for organic gardens and succession planting.
Bloom period
Small yellow flowers appear when plants bolt. They attract bees and many other beneficial pollinating insects.
Flower colorYellow
Foliage colorBright green
Harvest
40 days after sowing
Fruiting
Not applicable
Wildlife appealPollinators
Size
and facts
Height30 cm to 35 cm (12 to 14 in)
Spread20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in)
Growth rateFast
Minimum temperature0°C (32°F)
Foliage typeDeciduous
Papillonstrue
Planting
partners
Good companions
Carrot, radish, pea
Avoid planting with
Cabbage, leek
Recipe
and inspiration
Shanghai Pak Choi is delicious in Asian stir-fries, soups, broths, and steamed dishes. Young leaves can also be enjoyed fresh in salads for their tender texture and mild flavor. The thick, fleshy stalks remain crisp after cooking while offering a delicate, slightly sweet taste. This variety is an essential ingredient in Asian cuisine and an outstanding addition to diverse vegetable gardens.
Frequently asked questions
This variety is prized for its rapid growth, tender stalks, and exceptional versatility in the kitchen. It provides generous harvests in only a few weeks.
Yes. Young leaves are excellent in fresh salads thanks to their crisp texture and delicate flavor, while mature plants are ideal for cooking.
Yes. It grows exceptionally well in containers filled with rich, moisture-retentive soil, making it perfect for balconies and small gardens.
Harvests generally begin about 40 days after sowing. Plants can be harvested young or allowed to reach full size depending on your culinary preference.
Cooler temperatures promote rapid growth and help reduce premature bolting, resulting in higher-quality harvests.
The availability of our seeds varies depending on seasonal availability, production schedules and supplier inventory. Certain varieties may only be offered for a limited time based on their natural growth cycle, sowing period or available stock. These product pages are designed to help and inspire gardeners in choosing the right seeds for vegetable gardens, flower beds, pollinator gardens, container growing, naturalization projects and sustainable outdoor spaces.