How far apart should I plant Gai lan (Chinese broccoli)?

About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 25–35 cm (10–14 in).

Does Gai lan (Chinese broccoli) need full sun?

Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Gai lan (Chinese broccoli) need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Gai lan (Chinese broccoli)?

It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.

When does Gai lan (Chinese broccoli) flower?

About 8–11 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks.

Is Gai lan (Chinese broccoli) poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; raw brassicas can cause gas in pets if eaten in quantity.

What grows well with Gai lan (Chinese broccoli)?

Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Gai lan (Chinese broccoli) Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra

Gai lan (Chinese broccoli) (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra) is an annual vegetable in the Brassicaceae family, native to Southern China (cultivar group of Brassica oleracea). It grows 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall and 25–35 cm (10–14 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.

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Gai lan (Chinese broccoli) at a glance

Type	Annual vegetable
Family	Brassicaceae
Mature height	30–50 cm (12–20 in)
Mature spread	25–35 cm (10–14 in)
Spacing	20 cm (8 in) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	6–7
Cold hardiness	About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9)
Heat stress	Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F)
Flowering	about 8–11 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks
Days to maturity	About 60 days from planting
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	Moderate
Edible	Yes: flower stalks, leaves, flower buds
Native to	Southern China (cultivar group of Brassica oleracea)
Common in gardens of	🇨🇳 China, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore

Is Gai lan (Chinese broccoli) toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Not toxic; raw brassicas can cause gas in pets if eaten in quantity.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Gai lan (Chinese broccoli)

Good neighbours

good With Rhubarb: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Evidence D
good With Nasturtium: Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas. Evidence C

Shared pests and diseases

Clubroot: Clubroot spores persist in soil up to 20 years; keep brassicas in a rotation. Evidence B

Questions about Gai lan (Chinese broccoli)

How far apart should I plant Gai lan (Chinese broccoli)?: About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 25–35 cm (10–14 in).
Does Gai lan (Chinese broccoli) need full sun?: Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Gai lan (Chinese broccoli) need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Gai lan (Chinese broccoli)?: It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
When does Gai lan (Chinese broccoli) flower?: About 8–11 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks.
Is Gai lan (Chinese broccoli) poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; raw brassicas can cause gas in pets if eaten in quantity.
What grows well with Gai lan (Chinese broccoli)?: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).

EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore

Notes and assumptions

Harvested as flower stalks just as the first white flowers open.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica
Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Kale Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Radish Raphanus sativus
Bok choy Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes