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Canton White Cabbage is a compact Asian greens variety that brings tender, juicy stalks and a hint of mustard-like spice to the kitchen in just 50 to 59 days. Growing just 8 to 10 inches tall, this heirloom pak choi thrives in full sun and prefers warm weather, making it one of the most adaptable types for gardeners seeking fast harvests and interesting flavor. You can enjoy it at any stage of growth, from tender baby leaves to mature plants, each offering that distinctive cabbage character with a touch of peppery heat.
Full Sun
Moderate
6-9
10in H x ?in W
—
High
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Canton White's white stalks are among the most tender and best-flavored of any pak choi type, especially when harvested young for maximum juiciness and delicate texture. Its preference for warm weather and compact growth habit make it surprisingly forgiving compared to other Asian brassicas, and the speed to harvest means you can cycle through multiple plantings in a single season. The flavor walks an interesting line between mild cabbage sweetness and a subtle mustard-like spice that becomes more pronounced as the plant matures.
Canton White shines in quick-cooking applications where its tender white stalks and mild greens can be featured. Stir-frying brings out the subtle mustard notes while preserving the juicy, crisp texture of the stems. It works beautifully in soups, where both stems and leaves contribute flavor and body, and can be harvested at baby-leaf stage for fresh salads or Asian greens mixes. The variety's fast growth and compact size make it practical for continuous harvesting of tender young shoots throughout the season.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Direct sow seeds after the last frost date when soil has warmed, as Canton White thrives in warm conditions. Plant seeds at the appropriate depth and thin seedlings as needed once they have developed true leaves.
Begin harvesting at 50 to 59 days from planting, or sooner if you prefer tender baby leaves. Canton White can be harvested at any stage of growth; pick individual outer leaves once the plant reaches 4 to 6 inches tall, or cut the entire head just above soil level when it reaches full maturity at 8 to 10 inches. For the most tender, flavorful harvest, pick in the morning after plants have cooled overnight.
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“Canton White carries the lineage of traditional pak choi bred for the Canton (Guangzhou) region of China, where this form of Brassica rapa has been cultivated for centuries. This heirloom variety represents the continuation of that Asian breeding tradition, preserved and passed down through seed catalogs to modern gardeners seeking authentic flavors and reliable performance. Its preservation as a non-GMO heirloom reflects both its cultural importance and its proven track record across generations of growers.”