When to Plant Pak Choy (Bok Choy) in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Sow February to June. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is February.

Also called bok choy, pak choi, buk choy.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Pak Choy (Bok Choy) guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Pak Choy (Bok Choy)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Pak choy (also spelled bok choy, pak choi) is a fast-growing, non-heading Chinese cabbage with thick, crisp stems and dark green leaves. It matures in 5-7 weeks, making it one of the quickest brassica crops. Available in standard white-stemmed, green-stemmed (Shanghai), baby, and purple varieties. Essential in Asian cooking and increasingly popular in Australian home gardens.

Planting Calendar for Subtropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- S S/T/D S/T/D T/D T - - - - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Pak Choy (Bok Choy) sowing time in Brisbane?

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 20.4°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

That figure is read off my own weather station here at Dayboro in South East Queensland at 18:55 yesterday, not a model. The radar, the rain gauge and the forecasts behind it sit on Dayboro.au.

How to Grow Pak Choy (Bok Choy) in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

February-September. Best March-July. Bolts from August as days lengthen. Quick crop allows multiple successions.

Soil
Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of compost and aged manure. Needs moisture-retentive but not waterlogged soil.
pH Range
6.0-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun in cool weather. Part shade essential in warm zones to prevent bolting.
Spacing
25cm apart, 35cm between rows
Watering
Consistent moisture critical. Water deeply every 2-3 days. Drought stress triggers bolting. Drip irrigation ideal. Morning watering preferred.

Companion plants: Celery, Onion, Chamomile, Dill, Marigold

Avoid planting near: Other brassicas if disease present, Strawberry

Subtropical Growing Tips for Pak Choy (Bok Choy)

Recommended Varieties

  • Shanghai Green
  • Baby Bok Choy
  • Pak Choy (white stem)
  • Choy Sum
  • Osaka Purple

Key Challenges

  • Bolting from August
  • Cabbage white butterfly and diamondback moth active most of the year
  • Slugs in wet weather

Pro Tips

  • The quintessential quick winter crop for SEQ gardens
  • Succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous stir-fry greens
  • Net every planting, no exceptions

Harvesting Pak Choy (Bok Choy)

When ready: Baby bok choy: 15-20cm tall (4-5 weeks). Full size: 25-35cm with thick, firm stems (6-8 weeks). Stems should snap crisply when bent.

How to harvest: Cut entire plant at soil level with sharp knife. Or harvest outer leaves/stems individually for cut-and-come-again. Harvest in cool of morning.

Where to next

What pak choy costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

The pest most likely to find your pak choy: Cabbage White Butterfly.

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Common Questions About Pak Choy (Bok Choy)

When do you plant pak choy in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does pak choy grow all year round in Brisbane?

No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Feb to Jun. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

What else is pak choy called?

Pak choy is the usual Australian name. Overseas seed packets and recipes call it bok choy, pak choi, buk choy. Same plant, same growing advice.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.