How to grow pak choy in a raised bed

Pak choy is the quick, glossy Asian green that's almost impossible to fail — sow it, and you'll be stir-frying your own in a matter of weeks. Perfect for a raised bed and a busy kitchen.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun to part shade
• Spacing: 20 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 23 cm or 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 6–9 weeks

When should I plant pak choy?

Pak choy grows nearly year-round in warm areas but is happiest in the cool — sow autumn to spring, as summer heat makes it bolt. Sow a fresh patch every few weeks. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): February to September
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): February to May and August to October
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): September to February
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): March to August
• Arid inland: February to September

How do I grow pak choy in a raised bed?

Sow directly or plant seedlings into rich, moist mix. It's a brassica, so netting keeps the cabbage whites off — and being fast, it's out of the ground before many pests catch up.

How often should I water and feed pak choy?

Keep the mix evenly moist for tender, unstressed leaves — a dry check makes it bolt straight to flower.

What pests attack pak choy?

Keep an eye out for caterpillars, aphids and slugs and snails. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

What diseases affect pak choy?

The main ones are downy mildew. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

What grows well with pak choy?

A great fast filler between slower crops; grows well alongside other Asian greens. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest pak choy?

Harvest the whole plant at the base while young and tender, or pick outer leaves as you need them. Use it fresh — it wilts fast.

More growing guides: wombok, choy sum and gai lan.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Schlaghecken Josef, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.