Shanghai Baby Bok Choi

Brassica rapa   

Approximately 100 seeds per pack. 

Germination ~ 94% Jan 2025 Packed for 2025

Origins and History

Shanghai Green Baby Bok Choy is a traditional Chinese leafy vegetable belonging to the Brassica rapa species. It is a compact and fast-growing heirloom variety that has been cultivated in the Shanghai region and throughout southern China for centuries. Its popularity stems from its adaptability to both small garden plots and large-scale fields, as well as its tender texture and mild flavor that made it a staple in Chinese kitchens. Unlike larger bok choy cultivars, the baby type gained prominence for its quick growth cycle and suitability for stir-fry dishes, soups, and market sales where freshness and tenderness are prized.

Appearance and Characteristics

This variety produces small, spoon-shaped, jade-green leaves with lighter green petioles. Plants form tight, upright rosettes, typically maturing at 5–7 inches tall. The leaves are smooth, glossy, and tender, with crisp stalks that remain juicy even after cooking. Compared to standard bok choy, the baby Shanghai type has thinner stalks and more delicate leaves, offering a refined eating experience. Its growth habit is compact, making it well-suited for container gardening or high-density plantings.

Culinary Uses

Shanghai Green Baby Bok Choy is a versatile kitchen vegetable used in Chinese, Southeast Asian, and fusion cuisines. It is commonly stir-fried with garlic and ginger, added to noodle and rice dishes, or simmered in broths for hot pots and soups. The entire plant—leaves and stems—can be eaten, offering a balance of tender greens and crunchy stalks. When quickly sautéed, it retains both its vivid green color and subtle sweetness, while steaming or braising brings out its mild, nutty undertones.

Growing Tips with Vegetation Zones and Sow Depth

This fast-maturing variety thrives in USDA Zones 3–10, favoring cool-season conditions in spring and fall. It does best in fertile, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. Direct sow seeds ¼ inch deep, spacing 3–6 inches apart in rows about 12 inches apart, or sow more densely for baby-leaf harvests. Shanghai bok choy prefers consistent moisture and partial to full sun. Protect young plants from flea beetles with row covers and avoid hot midsummer conditions, which can cause bolting. For continual harvests, sow successively every 2–3 weeks.

Harvesting Guidance

Harvest Shanghai Green Baby Bok Choy about 30–40 days after sowing, when plants reach 5–7 inches tall. Cut at the soil line for whole heads, or pick outer leaves for a “cut-and-come-again” harvest. For best flavor, harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and hydrated. Plants should be consumed fresh or refrigerated promptly to maintain sweetness and tenderness. If left too long, leaves can toughen, though still usable for soups and braises.