Field ManualAll plants

Bok Choy
Brassica rapa
Family: BrassicaceaeOrigin: China
- Leafy Green
- Fast Maturing
- Cool Season
Pet & Human Safety
People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them
Not on the ASPCA cat or dog plant lists. NC State Extension's own plant database flags this species as a "problem for horses" specifically: a separate toxicity note from that source, not from ASPCA, and not extended to dogs or cats in that listing. A normal garden vegetable for dogs and cats as far as available sources show.
Poison control
If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.
Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.
Naturalist Lore
Historical Background & Breeding Lore
The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.
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- Hardiness zones
Grown as a cool-season annual in all US zones; cold-tolerant enough for early spring or late fall plantings
- Mature size
Space or thin plants to 6 in apart; ready in about 60 days from seed.
How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.
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Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics
How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.
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Field Doctor
What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.
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Vintage Plates
Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.
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