PlantSowGrow
How to grow Chinese Broccoli (Kai Lan)
Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra
Thick, juicy stems with glossy blue-green leaves and small flower buds — the classic Chinese greens with oyster sauce.
At a glance: Sow mid May to mid August, harvest from early July.
When to sow, plant and harvest
Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.
Growing Chinese Broccoli (Kai Lan): what it needs
- Light
- Full sun · 6+ hours a day
- Watering
- Water regularly in dry weather
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained soil
- Spacing
- 25 cm
- In pots
- Grows well in containers
- Feeding
- A general feed before sowing or planting
- Harvest
- About 60 days from sowing
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 3–9
- Difficulty
- Easy
Step by step
- Mid May – mid August · 4 weeks after the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Outdoors
Sow thinly in drills where they are to grow.
- 4–10 days after “Sow Seeds Outdoors” · Mid May – late May
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 4–10 days. If sown outdoors, thin to 25 cm apart when big enough to handle.
- 0–3 days after “Check Germination” · Mid May – late May
Net Against Pests
Cover with fine insect mesh or netting straight after planting to keep off pigeons, cabbage white caterpillars and flea beetles.
- 50–71 days after “Check Germination” · Early July – late July
Start Harvesting
Cut the main stem just as the first flowers open; side shoots follow.
- 14–28 days after “Start Harvesting” · Late July – early August
Sow Another Batch (optional)
Sow again every 3–4 weeks until late summer.
- 40–70 days after “Sow Another Batch” · Late August – late September
Finish and Clear
Clear the remains to the compost heap once cropping ends.
