Best Bok Choy Varieties for Home Gardeners

Choosing the right bok choy (Pak Choi) variety can make the difference between a disappointing harvest and tender, flavorful leaves. Drawing on decades of experience growing leafy greens year-round, I’ve selected the most reliable, bolt-resistant, and easy-to-grow varieties for home gardeners. Here’s a detailed guide to help you pick the best bok choy for your garden.

Table of Contents

1. Joi Choi

Early-maturing variety, ready in 30–35 days
Smooth, light green leaves
Excellent for succession planting and small spaces

2. Michihili

Slow-bolting, heat-tolerant variety
Large, crisp, dark green leaves
Ideal for spring and summer planting

3. White Stem Bok Choy

Classic variety with thick, crunchy white stalks
Mild flavor, versatile for cooking
Performs well in both garden beds and containers

4. Baby Bok Choy

Compact, fast-growing variety
Perfect for container gardening or small beds
Harvest young for tender, sweet leaves

5. Shanghai Bok Choy

Tender, flavorful leaves with a mild, sweet taste
Resists bolting in warmer weather
Great for stir-fries and salads

Tips for Selecting Bok Choy Varieties

Choose bolt-resistant types for summer and fall planting
Consider space: compact varieties suit containers and small beds
Mix varieties for staggered harvests and extended production

My Experience

I’ve grown all these varieties in Sonoma Valley over the past 30 years. Slow-bolting types like Michihili and Shanghai Bok Choy consistently produce tender leaves even in warm weather, while Baby Bok Choy works perfectly for small-space gardeners seeking quick harvests. Selecting the right variety ensures reliable growth, abundant harvests, and optimal flavor.

Choosing the best bok choy variety is key for home gardeners seeking consistent, tender, and flavorful leafy greens.

Bok Choy Learning Hub

Start here: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Bok Choy

Bok Choy Planting & Timing

Starting, Transplanting & Direct Sowing

Bok Choy Care

Pests & Diseases

Common Bok Choy Pests and Diseases and How to Prevent and Control Them

Harvest & Storage

Containers & Small Spaces

How to Grow Bok Choy in Containers, Troughs, and Small Beds

Varieties

Companion Planting

Companion Plants for Bok Choy: Boost Growth and Reduce Pests

Stephen Albert

Stephen Albert is a horticulturist, master gardener, and certified nurseryman who has taught at the University of California for more than 25 years. He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. His books include Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide, Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner, Tomato Grower’s Answer Book, and Kitchen Garden Grower’s Guide. His Vegetable Garden Grower’s Masterclass is available online. Harvesttotable.com has more than 10 million visitors each year.

Common Collard Greens Pests and Diseases and Natural Ways to Control Them
ByStephen Albert

Collard greens are hardy and nutritious, but even experienced gardeners like myself—after 30+ years growing collards—know that pests and diseases can quickly reduce yields and damage leaves. Understanding the most common threats and how to control them naturally is essential for healthy, productive plants. In this guide, I’ll share practical, tried-and-true strategies that have worked…

Read More Common Collard Greens Pests and Diseases and Natural Ways to Control Them
How to Prevent Bolting in Cabbage and Other Brassicas
ByStephen Albert

Bolting—the premature production of flower stalks—is a common challenge for gardeners growing cabbage, kale, broccoli, and other brassicas. Over my 30+ years of experience growing these cool-weather crops, I’ve seen that bolting often results from environmental stresses and timing errors. Understanding what causes bolting and how to prevent it is essential for a successful harvest…

Read More How to Prevent Bolting in Cabbage and Other Brassicas
When to Plant Bok Choy for Spring, Summer, and Fall
ByStephen Albert

Bok choy (also called pak choi) is one of the most rewarding leafy greens to grow if you time your plantings with the seasons. After more than three decades of growing cool-weather brassicas in both mild and warm climates, I’ve learned that bok choy thrives when you work with the weather rather than against it….

Read More When to Plant Bok Choy for Spring, Summer, and Fall
Feeding Spinach for Lush Leaf Growth
ByStephen Albert

Healthy, vibrant spinach starts with proper feeding. With over 30 years of gardening experience, I’ve found that balanced nutrition boosts leaf size, flavor, and overall plant vigor. Understanding Spinach Nutrient Needs Spinach is a leafy green that thrives on nitrogen-rich soil to support lush, tender leaves. It also benefits from adequate phosphorus for root development…

Read More Feeding Spinach for Lush Leaf Growth
Mesclun: The French Salad Mix
ByStephen Albert

Mesclun is the French word for “mixture.” Mesclun is a mix of tender, young salad green leaves. Mesclun mixes usually include a variety of lettuces and European and Asian salad greens that grow under similar conditions, have similar rates of maturity, and taste good together. Greens can be mixed by season, by flavor, by color,…

Read More Mesclun: The French Salad Mix
Best Spinach Varieties to Grow for Flavor, Heat Tolerance, and Quick Growth
ByStephen Albert

Choosing the right spinach variety can make all the difference in your garden’s success. After growing spinach for over 30 years in a variety of climates, I’ve tested numerous varieties and learned which excel in flavor, heat tolerance, and rapid growth. Top Spinach Varieties for Flavor Best Varieties for Heat Tolerance Fast-Growing Spinach Varieties My…

Read More Best Spinach Varieties to Grow for Flavor, Heat Tolerance, and Quick Growth