RHS Growing Guides
How to grow Chinese broccoli
Our detailed growing guide will help you with each step in successfully growing Chinese Broccoli.
Getting Started
Chinese broccoli (also known as Chinese kale, kailaan, kai lan or wok broc) is a productive and versatile oriental brassica – a member of the cabbage family. It’s grown as a
For continuous harvests across summer and autumn, sow seeds regularly in small batches from spring onwards. If given protection, you may even get light harvests in winter. Without protection, plants die back over winter but may re-sprout in spring in milder regions.
As a member of the cabbage family, Chinese broccoli can be affected by the same pests and diseases as traditional brassicas, and should be included in veg crop rotations with its cabbage relatives.
Other oriental brassicas that are grown in a similar way include Chinese cabbage, pak choi, mizuna and mibuna. A wide range of vegetables are grown in all the RHS gardens, so do visit them for more veg-growing inspiration.
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Choosing
What and where to buy
Seeds of Chinese broccoli are available from a limited number of online seed retailers, sometimes called Chinese kale, kailaan or kai lan.
Recommended Varieties
An early maturing variety. Plants are uniform, vigorous and slow to bolt. Takes approximately 40-50 days to reach maturity.
Kai-lan is the Cantonese name for Chinese broccoli. This variety has flat, glossy, blue green leaves with thick juicy stems.
This variety has slightly wrinkled leaves like Kale. It has thick yet tender, sweet, crispy stems and is delicious in...
Preparing the Ground
Chinese broccoli prefers rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil and full sun.
Prepare the ground by weeding thoroughly, then add a couple of buckets of well-rotted manure or garden compost per square metre/yard, to help hold moisture in the soil.
Firm the soil and rake until fine and level, removing any large stones. If your soil is very acidic, add lime to deter clubroot – a fungal disease that affects brassicas.
You can also grow Chinese broccoli for harvesting as baby leaves in large containers at least 30cm (1ft) wide and deep. Fill with multi-purpose or soil-based compost and be prepared to water plants frequently, especially in summer, as the compost will dry out rapidly.
Growing in containers is useful if clubroot has affected brassicas in your garden previously, as Chinese broccoli is also susceptible to this disease.
Sowing
Sowing indoors
Sow seeds indoors in modules from mid-spring onwards. They should germinate quickly and be ready to plant out in a few weeks, once about 10cm (4inin) tall. Harden off for a couple of weeks first, to acclimatise them to outdoor conditions.
Sowing outdoors
Sow seeds outdoors between April and September. Prepare the ground or containers as detailed above. Containers are only really suitable for growing baby leaves and young plants, rather than growing to maturity.
Sprinkle the seeds thinly along a 2cm (1in) deep drill or over moist potting compost in large containers, then cover lightly with more soil or compost. Space rows 40cm (16in) apart.
Be sure to protect seedlings from slugs and snails, especially in damp weather.
Thin out the seedlings gradually to 30cm (12in) apart for full-sized plants. Use the thinnings in salads. If growing only for cut and come again baby leaves, spacing can be only 10–15cm (4–6in).
For continuous harvests, sow small batches every few weeks.
Plant Care
Chinese broccoli needs very little maintenance, apart from regular watering in dry spells, especially if growing in containers.
Watering
Water seedlings and young plants frequently, and continue watering regularly to keep the soil or potting compost consistently moist.
Water in the morning if possible, so plants can grow steadily throughout the day. Try to avoid watering in the evenings, as damp soil can attract slugs and snails overnight.
Mulching
Spread a mulch of garden compost around the plants to help to hold moisture in the soil and deter weed germination. Apply when the ground is damp.
Weeding
Weed regularly, so young plants don’t have to compete for sunlight and water, which can hinder growth. Weeds can also provide shelter for pests such as snails.
Flowering
The buds and flowers are edible, but it’s worth leaving a few on your plants as they’re a great source of nectar for bees and other pollinating insects.
Protecting crops
Cover plants with insect-proof mesh or fleece in late spring and summer to protect from cabbage caterpillars and use collars to deter cabbage root fly.
In mild regions, you may some light harvests over winter if you cover plants with cloches or fleece before the first frosts. Alternatively, allow plants to die back naturally, then cut down to a short stump – leaves may re-sprout in spring, especially after a mild winter.
Harvesting
Plants grow quickly and are ready for harvesting just ten weeks or more after sowing – generally between July and November. Early sowings may flower sooner, but this doesn’t matter – just use what you can and sow more. Mature plants should withstand light frosts at the end of the season.
Harvest young leaves from cut and come again sowings whenever required.
To harvest the tender young florets, cut off the top few centimetres with a knife just before the first white flowers open. The more you harvest, the more they should produce. Steam or sauté them in a similar way to broccoli. Open flowers are still edible and can be scattered in salads.
Young succulent stems can be cooked separately, like asparagus, as they may take longer than the tender florets. Lightly steam, then add to stir-fries and many other dishes.
Chinese broccoli is best eaten freshly harvested, when succulent and full of flavour and nutrients. But if necessary it can be stored in a fridge for a week or so.
Problems
Chinese broccoli is relatively robust and healthy, but being a member of the cabbage family it can be affected by brassica diseases such as clubroot, especially on acidic soil, as well as pests such as cabbage root fly and cabbage caterpillars, so cover crops with insect-proof mesh in summer. When growing speedy young salad leaves these are rarely a problem. Pigeons may damage brassica crops by pecking the leaves.
Also protect seedlings and young plants with our tips on deterring slugs and snails and keep plants well watered, especially in warm weather.
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