Chinese Big Stem Broccoli, Heirloom Seeds

Chinese Big Stem Broccoli (Gai Lan) — The Ancient Asian Heirloom With Big Crisp Stems, Slightly Bitter Flavor, and Strong Disease Resistance

Introduced to China in ancient times and quickly woven into local cuisine, Chinese Big Stem Broccoli — also known as Gai Lan, Chinese Kale, or White-Flowering Broccoli — is a cool-season brassica grown for its thick, crisp stems and big, dark blue-green leaves rather than a central head. This open-pollinated variety has deep green color, good flavor, and large stalks that are crisp and excellent for slicing. Slightly bitter and earthy raw, the bitterness diminishes beautifully with cooking — steamed, stir-fried with garlic and rice wine, or boiled and dressed with oyster sauce. Stems are cold tolerant and slow to bolt, with roots that are unharmed by freezing temperatures. A natural waxy coating gives this plant strong resistance to downy mildew and most common pests. Direct sow only — does not transplant well. 40–50 days.

Why Grow Chinese Big Stem Broccoli?

• Big, crisp, dark blue-green stems — 12–18 inches tall, excellent for slicing and stir-frying
• Slightly bitter, earthy flavor — bitterness diminishes with cooking; classic Asian green
• Cold tolerant, slow to bolt — roots unharmed by freezing temps; extended harvest window
• Strong disease resistance — natural waxy coating resists downy mildew and most pests
• Continuous harvest — branches freely after the central stalk is cut; fertilize after each cut
• Multiple sowing windows — early spring, mid-summer for fall; thrives in multiple temperature ranges
• Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year

Growing Notes

Direct sow in situ — Chinese broccoli does not transplant well. Sow ¼ inch deep, 5–10 inches apart. Shield against hard frosts. For heaviest yields, sow mid-summer for an autumn harvest; early spring sowings for summer harvest are also possible. Keep soil consistently moist — shallow roots benefit from frequent, light watering. In high winds, mound soil around stalks for stability. Fertilize after each cut to help the plant recover and produce more. Leave ample room for mature plants. Harvest the main stalk when 12–18 inches tall and 2–3 flowers are about to open — this triggers branching for a continuous extended harvest. Peel outer skin if stalks become rough; the flesh inside stays crisp and juicy.

Pests & Diseases: Strong resistance to downy mildew. The natural waxy coating provides protection from most common garden pests.

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.