Sweet Mustard Green Choy Sum Seeds (Brassica rapa var. parachinensis) Tender Asian leafy green producing succulent stems and mild mustard flavor; excellent for stir-fries, soups, and fast cool-season harvests

Minimum: 50+ Seeds

Tender Asian Leafy Green • Succulent Stems & Mild Mustard Flavor • Fast-Growing Cool-Season Harvest

Choy Sum is a beloved Asian leafy vegetable known for its tender stems, delicate leaves, and mild mustard flavor. Popular throughout Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine, this fast-growing green produces succulent stalks topped with soft leaves and small yellow flowers that are both beautiful and delicious.

For gardeners looking to grow flavorful greens that mature quickly and perform well in cool weather, Choy Sum offers a reliable and rewarding harvest.

What Is Choy Sum?

Choy Sum (also spelled Choi Sum or Cai Xin) is a member of the mustard and brassica family closely related to bok choy and other Asian greens. The plant produces leafy stems that are harvested before full flowering, although the flower buds themselves are also edible and highly prized in cooking.

Plant characteristics:

• Botanical name: Brassica rapa var. parachinensis

• Plant type: Cool-season annual leafy green

• Growth habit: Upright leafy stems

• Harvest stage: Young stems, leaves, and buds

• Flavor: Mild mustard taste with subtle sweetness

• Growth speed: Fast-growing crop

This vegetable is known for its quick turnaround from seed to harvest, making it a favorite for continuous planting.

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Choy Sum offers a balanced flavor that combines mild mustard notes with a natural sweetness, especially when harvested young.

Common culinary uses include:

• Stir-fries with garlic and ginger

• Asian noodle and rice dishes

• Light vegetable soups

• Steamed greens with sesame oil

• Quick sautéed side dishes

The tender stems remain crisp while the leaves cook down gently, giving the plant excellent texture in many recipes.

Fast Harvest & Continuous Production

One of the biggest advantages of Choy Sum is how quickly it grows.

Garden benefits include:

• Rapid growth and early harvests

• Continuous sowing throughout the cool season

• Compact plants suitable for small gardens

• Productive leafy stems and edible buds

Many gardeners plant small batches every few weeks to maintain a steady supply of fresh greens.

Growing Choy Sum Successfully

Choy Sum thrives in cool temperatures and fertile soil.

Growing guidelines:

• Direct sow seeds in early spring or fall

• Planting depth: about ¼–½ inch

• Full sun to partial sun

• Rich, well-drained soil with compost

• Keep soil consistently moist

Plants often mature in as little as 30–45 days, depending on growing conditions.

Harvest by cutting the entire plant or trimming stems for regrowth when young and tender.

Ideal For

• Asian vegetable gardens

• Cool-season growing

• Raised beds and small spaces

• Continuous salad and cooking greens

• Gardeners who enjoy quick harvest crops

Because of its fast growth and versatility, it is also a great crop for beginner gardeners.

Nutritional & Garden Benefits

Like many brassica greens, Choy Sum is rich in nutrients and makes a healthy addition to homegrown meals.

Benefits include:

• Vitamins A, C, and K

• Mineral-rich leafy greens

• Fast garden productivity

• Excellent companion for diverse vegetable gardens

Growing your own greens ensures maximum freshness and flavor.

A Quick-Growing Garden Favorite

Sweet Mustard Green ‘Choy Sum’ is a delicious and productive leafy vegetable that fits perfectly into cool-season gardens. With tender stems, mild mustard flavor, and rapid growth, it provides fresh greens in just a few weeks from planting.

Sow it early in spring or again in fall, and enjoy crisp, flavorful harvests that bring authentic Asian garden flavors straight to your kitchen.