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Similar to traditional sprouting broccoli, this tasty and versatile oriental vegetable can be harvested over a long season, and is a good source of antioxidants and vitamin C.

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Chinese broccoli, also known as Chinese kale, kailaan, kai lan or wok broc, is a productive and versatile oriental brassica. It’s grown for its tasty leaves, stems, flower buds

A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. and flowers, which are similar to traditional broccoli. Young leaves can be eaten raw, while larger leaves, tender stems and young flower shoots can be lightly steamed, sautéed or added to stir-fries.

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. Baby leaves can be picked in as little as three weeks, and florets form after about ten weeks, when plants reach a height of about 40cm (16in).

As a member of the cabbage (brassica) family, Chinese broccoli can be affected by the same problems as traditional brassicas, and should be included in crop rotations with its cabbage relatives. Other oriental brassicas that are grown in a similar way includeChinese cabbages, pak choi, mizuna and mibuna. For inspiration on these and many other crops, take a look round the veg plots in the RHS gardens.

Several varieties of Chinese broccoli are available in the UK. Seeds can be sourced from a limited number of online seed retailers, and are sometimes sold as Chinese kale, kailaan or kai lan.

Recommended Varieties

'Kailaan Express'

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Choose a growing site with rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, in full sun. Weed thoroughly, then dig in a couple of bucketfuls of well-rotted manure or garden compost per square metre/yard, to help retain moisture in the soil. Firm the soil and rake until fine and level, removing any large stones. Alternatively, if you're practising no-dig, mulch

Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings. the soil with organic matter ahead of sowing or planting directly into the mulch.

If your soil is very acidic, apply lime the winter before sowing, to raise the pH

This describes how acid or alkaline soil is, and is expressed as a number between 0 and 14. Soil with a pH of 7 is neutral, an acid soil has a lower value, and an alkaline soil has a higher one. Most plants grow best in soil that’s within a specific pH range, so it’s useful to know your soil’s pH. Testing kits are easy to use and widely available in garden centres and online. and deter club root – you can carry out a simple pH test to check if this is necessary.

You can sow Chinese broccoli indoors or outdoors in spring, summer and early autumn. Indoor sowing keeps the vulnerable seedlings

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. safe from harsh weather and hungry slugs. You can also sow Chinese broccoli in large containers outdoors, for cropping as baby leaves and young plants, rather than growing to maturity.

Sowing indoors

Sow seeds indoors from mid-spring onwards – it’s best to use a modular seedtray, to minimise root disturbance when transplanting outdoors later. Fill it with peat-free seed compost

Seed compost is a free-draining compost formulated for germinating seed. It often contains a mix of fine materials including sterilised loam, coir, coarse sand or grit. It contains low levels of nutrients, as high levels could damage seedlings. , water to dampen thoroughly, then sow two seeds per module, 2cm (¾in) deep. Thin out the seedlings

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. , removing the smaller or weaker one, to leave one per module. Keep in good light and water regularly. For more indoor sowing tips, see our guides below.

Sowing outdoors

Sow seeds outdoors between April and September. Prepare the ground as detailed above, then make a shallow drill

A miniature furrow typically 1–5cm deep, made with a stick, hoe or rake. It is used for planting seeds or bulbs, and ensures they are positioned at the correct depth and spacing. about 2cm (1in) deep and water along the base. Sprinkle the seeds thinly and evenly along the drill, then cover lightly with more soil. Space rows 30cm (12in) apart. For continuous harvests, sow small batches every few weeks. Protect the seedlings

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. from slugs and snails, especially in damp weather.

Thin out the seedlings to 10–15cm (4–6in) apart for harvesting as baby salad leaves, or 30cm (12in) apart for full-sized plants.

Sowing in containers

You can also grow Chinese broccoli in large pots for harvesting as baby leaves. Choose a container that’s at least 30cm (1ft) wide and deep, position it in a sunny spot and fill with peat-free multi-purpose compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. . Water to thoroughly dampen the compost, then scatter the seeds sparingly and cover lightly with a little more compost. When the seedlings appear, thin them out to 10–15cm (4–6in) apart. Be prepared to water frequently in summer, as the compost will dry out rapidly.

Seedlings

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. from indoor sowings will be ready to transplant outdoors after about 4–6 weeks, once they have a good root system. Before planting, harden them off to acclimatise them to outdoor conditions, and prepare the ground as outlined above. Then plant them 10–15cm (4–6in) apart for harvesting as baby salad leaves, or 30cm (12in) apart for growing to maturity.

Once established, Chinese broccoli needs little attention. Simply mulch

Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings. the soil to retain moisture and keep plants protected from insect damage. In dry weather, you may need to water, especially when growing in a container.

Watering

Water seedlings

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. and young plants regularly until well-rooted. Chinese broccoli likes consistently moist soil, so in dry weather established plants

Established plants have been in their current location for two or three years and so have well-developed root systems able to support strong growth with healthy foliage and flowers. may need to be watered too. Plants in containers usually need watering regularly, as the potting compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. dries out quickly, especially in warm weather.

The best time to water is in the morning, so plants can grow steadily throughout the day. Avoid watering in the heat of the day, as the moisture will evaporate quickly. For more water-saving tips, see our guides below.

Mulching

Spread a mulch

Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings. of organic matter, such as garden compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. , around the plants to help hold moisture in the soil and reduce the need for watering. Mulch will also deter weed germination

Germination is the process by which a seed develops into a new plant. It starts with the seed coat absorbing water, expanding and splitting, which allows oxygen and water into the seed so its food reserves can be broken down and used by the embryo for growth. The first root (called the radicle) pushes into the soil to anchor the new plant in place and start absorbing water and nutrients. The first shoot (called the plumule) then grows upwards, out of the soil, towards the light. . Apply the mulch when the ground is damp and plants are growing strongly.

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 slugs and snails, which could damage the crop.

Protecting the crop

Cover plants withinsect-proof mesh in late spring and summer to protect from cabbage caterpillars and cabbage root fly.

In mild regions, you may get some light harvests over winter if you cover plants with cloches or biodegradable fleece. 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.

Chinese broccoli grows quickly and is ready for harvesting in as little as ten weeks after sowing – generally between July and November. Early sowings may form flower buds

A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. 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.

To harvest the tender young florets, cut off the top few centimetres (1in) 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. The young succulent stems can be cooked separately, like asparagus, as they take longer than the tender florets.

You can also harvest Chinese broccoli as young salad leaves in as little as three weeks in summer – start when the plants are 8–10cm (3–4in) tall and snip off a few of the outer leaves from each plant. More leaves will grow from the centre of the plant, which will be ready to harvest a few weeks later.

Chinese broccoli is relatively robust and healthy, but being a member of the cabbage family it can be affected by brassica diseases such as club root, especially on acidic soil, and can be damaged by cabbage root fly and cabbage caterpillars – although when growing speedy young salad leaves, these are rarely a problem. For more details on these and other issues, see Common problems, below.

Common Problems

Club root

Club root is a disease of the roots of brassicas, such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip and swede, leading to swollen and distorted r...

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Cabbage caterpillars

Cabbages and other brassicas are a food source for the caterpillars of several species of moth and butterfly.

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Cabbage root fly

The maggots of cabbage root fly eat the roots of cabbages and other brassicas, they can also tunnel into the roots of swedes, turnips and radish.

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Cabbage whitefly

Cabbage whitefly are small white-winged insects that can be found on the undersides of brassica leaves, they are often not a serious problem. This is...

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Flea beetles on brassicas and allied plants

Some species of flea beetle feed on the leaves of all brassicas and related plants, including rocket, radish, swede, turnip and wallflowers. The resul...

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Mealy cabbage aphid

Mealy cabbage aphid is common on brassicas. Its presence on established plants can be tolerated however, the aphid can make kale inedible and affect t...

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White blister

White blister is a foliar disease that may be found in the garden on a limited range of ornamentals, vegetables and weeds. It can reduce plant vigour,...

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Pigeons

Pigeons can peck at leaves, tearing them, often just leaving the stalks and larger leaf veins behind. Pigeons will feed on many plants, lilac, brassic...

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Slugs and snails

Slugs and snails are common garden animals, and they are well suited to the damp, mild climate of the UK. A few species feed on garden plants, but mos...

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