When should I plant Gai Lan?

Sow seed indoors 6–4 weeks before your last spring frost. Move seedlings into the garden from 2 weeks before to 1 weeks after your last spring frost. Sow seed straight into the ground from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after your last spring frost. For a fall crop, sow 9–6 weeks before your first fall frost.

How far apart do I plant Gai Lan?

Space Gai Lan about 8″ apart. It grows best in full sun.

What grows well with Gai Lan?

Good companions for Gai Lan include Beet, Choy Sum, Onion, Dill, Marigold, Nasturtium. Keep it away from Strawberry, Tomato.

What zones does Gai Lan grow in?

Gai Lan is suited to USDA zones 4–10 and takes ~60 days to harvest.

How to grow Gai Lan (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra)

Thick, sweet stems and blue-green leaves; the tender flowering shoots are the prize, stir-fried with garlic.

Quick tip

Chinese broccoli - harvest the flowering stems just as the buds show, before they open, then side shoots follow.

☀️ Full sun↔ 8″ apartZones 4–10⏳ ~60d

When to plant Gai Lan

Start indoorsSow seed indoors 6–4 weeks before your last spring frost.
Transplant outMove seedlings into the garden from 2 weeks before to 1 weeks after your last spring frost.
Direct sowSow seed straight into the ground from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after your last spring frost.
Fall sowingFor a fall crop, sow 9–6 weeks before your first fall frost.

At a glance

Botanical name

Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra

Companion planting

Plant near

Keep apart from

Strawberry Tomato

🌱 Chinese broccoli - a brassica; alliums and aromatic herbs deter its cabbage pests.

Plan Gai Lan for your zone →