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Other Common Names: Bok choy.

Growing Purple Shanghai Hybrid Pak Choi Cabbage in the Vegetable Garden

Pak choi cabbage is best grown during the cool spring and autumn seasons. Heat can cause them to bolt (flower prematurely) and become bitter. Directly sow seeds in the early spring with a protective cover, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting when temperatures reach 50-65 F. Don’t forget to harden off new seedlings by setting them out for a few hours at a time over several days until they have adjusted to outdoor variables. In the late summer, sow when temperatures begin to fall back into the 60-70’s. Bury seeds 0.25-0.5 inches deep in well-draining, fertile, moisture-retaining soil with full sun to partial shade. Space 1-2 inches apart with rows spaced 12-18 inches. Thin seedlings to 6-12 inches.

If you wish to harvest as baby greens, consider broadcasting the seed and covering with a layer of soil. This method is popularly used when growing salad greens at the baby stage. Because baby greens do not require as much space, you can gather a larger harvest using this method, rather than sowing with the recommended space guidelines and harvesting while young.

While pak choi can generally tolerate a light frost, they do not handle heat well and are best grown during the shoulder spring and fall seasons. They also perform well indoors for year-round growing. Additionally, they can be grown and harvested as sprouts, microgreens, baby greens, or as mature heads. For a continual harvest, cut the leaves as needed. They will continue to produce. You may also plan to sow in succession for a new crop available every few days or weeks as the growing conditions allow.

Harvesting Purple Shanghai Hybrid Pak Choi Cabbage

Harvest these purple-leaved beauties when they reach the desired size. When harvesting the full heads, cut just above the soil surface. Alternatively, harvest a few leaves at a time, as pak choi is a cut-and-come-again-friendly plant that will continue to produce leaves. Pak choi is a unique vegetable that is fully edible from roots to flowers. Grow as sprouts, microgreens, baby leaves, or mature plants year-round for nutritious greens that pair well with a variety of foods.

About Purple Shanghai Hybrid Pak Choi Cabbage Garden Seeds

Purple Shanghai is a great variety for container gardens. Grow in garden boxes and pots on your balcony and patio spaces.

Consider preserving your harvest by drying your pak choi leaves. This is a practice commonly done in Asian countries to continue using a pak choi harvest into the winter months.

Pak choi can be used in a variety of ways. Consider using your fresh harvest for stir-frying, soups (added at the end of cooking), pairing with meat and noodle dishes, or making traditional salt pickles.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"To get a head start on your spring garden, transplant starts in the early spring. Winter growing tents and garden cloches are a great way to protect from extended frost, hail, light snow, and wind as your pak choi matures."

- Ashleigh Smith, True Leaf Market Writer

Purple Shanghai Hybrid Pak Choi Cabbage Seeds Per Package:

• 2 g Packet - Wholesale - Approximately 380 Seeds
• 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 5,500 Seeds
• 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 22,000 Seeds
• 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 88,000 Seeds
• 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 440,000 Seeds

Non-GMO Purple Shanghai Hybrid Pak Choi Cabbage seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.