How to Grow Hong Kong Green Yu Choy
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Hong Kong Green Yu Choy
Brassica rapa subsp. parachinensis
vegetableHong Kong Green Yu Choy is a leafy Asian brassica with tender, edible stems and leaves that are milder and sweeter than mustard greens. It's a fast-growing cool-season crop popular in Asian cuisine, particularly in stir-fries and soups. The plant produces succulent, hollow stems with small dark green leaves.
When should you plant Hong Kong Green Yu Choy in your zone?
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Example Hong Kong Green Yu Choy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Hong Kong Green Yu Choy
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Hong Kong Green Yu Choy
Around May 27≈ 40 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Hong Kong Green Yu Choy dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives best in zones 5-9, but can be grown year-round in mild climates or as a cool-season crop in zones 3-4
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Get my Hong Kong Green Yu Choy timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
7-10 daysEmergence of true leaves after cotyledons appear; tiny seedlings with 2-4 small dark green leaves
Keep soil moist, provide bright light, thin seedlings to 6-inch spacing once they have true leaves. Protect from damping off with good air circulation.
Vegetative Growth
20-35 daysRapid stem and leaf development; plant grows 6-12 inches tall with multiple tender stems and progressive leaf formation
Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures (55-70°F ideal). Apply side-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Keep weed-free.
Mature Harvesting
5-15 daysPlant reaches 12-18 inches with full, tender stems and abundant glossy leaves; ready for repeated cutting
Begin harvesting outer stems when plant is 8-10 inches tall. Regular cutting encourages bushier growth and extends harvest season. Continue watering and feeding.
Bolting (End of Season)
5-10 daysPlant sends up flowering stems and leaves become tougher, more bitter; yellowing may occur
Harvest all remaining tender stems before quality declines. Remove and compost plant if bolting is advanced. Plant cooler-season crop in fall to extend production.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers before eggs hatch. Handpick caterpillars. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray on undersides of leaves at first sign of damage.
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Deploy row covers immediately after planting. Apply neem oil or spinosad. Dust with food-grade diatomaceous earth. Maintain plant vigor with consistent watering.
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and parasitic wasps.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Apply neem oil or horticultural oil weekly. Introduce beneficial insects like Encarsia formosa.
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Handpick in early morning or evening. Create barriers with copper tape. Apply food-grade diatomaceous earth around plants. Remove debris and hiding spots.
Uses
Asian Stir-Fries & Soups
CulinaryHong Kong Green Yu Choy is prized in Cantonese and Southeast Asian cuisine for its tender stems and mild, slightly sweet flavor. Simply blanch or stir-fry with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for a classic dish. [source]
Fresh Salads & Raw Consumption
CulinaryYoung tender stems and leaves can be eaten raw in salads, providing a mild brassica flavor without the pungency of mustard greens. Adds crunch and nutrition to Asian salad mixes. [source]
Nutritional & Antioxidant Properties
MedicinalRich in vitamins A, C, and K, plus glucosinolates (sulfur compounds with potential anti-cancer properties) common to all brassicas. Traditional Asian medicine values it for supporting digestion and general wellness. [source]
Blanching & Freezing
CulinaryCan be blanched and frozen for winter use, retaining much of its tender texture and nutritional value. Popular for meal prep in Asian households. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeIf allowed to bolt, yu choy produces small yellow flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. Also serves as a trap crop for cabbage moths, drawing them away from other brassicas. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer stems when plant reaches 8-10 inches tall, approximately 35-40 days after planting. Cut stems 2-3 inches above soil line to encourage regrowth. Harvest regularly for tenderness—plants often produce for 3-4 weeks with repeated picking. Cut in early morning for best quality. Harvest before bolting or hot weather causes bitterness. Young leaves can be harvested individually as needed.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Hong Kong Green Yu Choy is sometimes called 'Chinese Broccoli' or 'Choy Sum,' though it differs from true broccoli; it's faster-growing and more tender, making it ideal for rapid harvests in warm months.
- 🌱 The hollow stems store sugars and water, creating the characteristic tender, crunchy texture prized in Asian cuisine—this is why consistent watering and cool temperatures are crucial for quality.
- 🌱 Yu Choy can be regrown from cuttings placed in water, making it one of the few vegetables suitable for hydroponic propagation on a windowsill, and successive plantings every 2-3 weeks provide continuous harvests.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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