Bok choy is a cool-weather crop that thrives in early spring and fall. Knowing when and how to plant companions based on season can maximize benefits and reduce the risk of bolting or pest outbreaks.
Spring Planting Tips
In early spring, temperatures are mild and favorable for leafy greens. This is an ideal time to:
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Pair with lettuce and spinach, which also prefer cooler weather.
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Start garlic and onions, which can overwinter or develop alongside bok choy.
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Add calendula or marigolds, as these will begin attracting pollinators and beneficial insects early in the season.
Fall Planting Tips
In fall, soil still retains summer warmth, giving bok choy a head start before frost. Consider:
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Planting with root vegetables like carrots or beets that mature well in cooler temperatures.
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Including thyme or sage, which stay green late into the season and keep pests at bay.
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Using row covers over mixed plantings to extend the season and shield from sudden cold snaps.
Raised Beds and Container Planting
If you're growing bok choy in raised beds or containers, companion planting is still highly effective. In fact, confined spaces encourage better management of space, water, and pest control strategies.
Raised Beds
In a raised bed measuring 4x8 feet, you can:
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Plant two rows of bok choy down the center.
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Intercrop bush beans or peas along the outer rows for nitrogen fixation.
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Edge the bed with thyme or rosemary, which creates a barrier for pests.
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Fill gaps with spinach or lettuce for added harvest variety.
Containers
When growing bok choy in large pots (12–18 inches in diameter):
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Tuck in nasturtiums or chives to deter pests.
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Add a compact marigold in the same pot for both color and protection.
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Be cautious with spacing: bok choy needs 6–8 inches between plants, so don't overcrowd.
Container gardening benefits from the portability to chase sun or shade as needed, especially during unseasonable heat spells that might cause bolting.
Soil and Watering Considerations with Companions
Bok choy and its ideal companions often share similar preferences in soil and watering, which makes maintenance more straightforward.
Soil
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pH Range: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0).
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Fertility: Rich in organic matter, with steady nitrogen for leafy growth.
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Drainage: Well-draining but moisture-retentive.
Legumes enhance nitrogen levels naturally, so including them near bok choy reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers. Leafy companions like lettuce also benefit from similar soil compositions.
Watering
Bok choy is susceptible to tip burn if under-watered and root rot if over-watered. Fortunately, its common companions (lettuce, spinach, beans) have similar watering needs.
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Watering Schedule: 1–1.5 inches per week, ideally through drip irrigation or soaker hoses.
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Mulching: Use straw or shredded leaves around companion-planted beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Pest and Disease Management Through Companion Planting
One of the most valuable benefits of companion planting is natural pest control. Bok choy's soft, sweet leaves attract various pests, but companion plants offer protection in several ways:
Physical Barriers
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Thick thyme or rosemary borders confuse insects with strong aromas.
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Nasturtiums attract aphids and flea beetles away from bok choy, acting as a trap crop.
Biological Controls
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Flowers like calendula and marigolds draw in ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies—predators of aphids and whiteflies.
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Dill or fennel nearby can also attract parasitoid wasps that prey on cabbage moth larvae.
Disease Prevention
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Companion diversity disrupts monocultures, reducing the spread of clubroot, downy mildew, and powdery mildew common in brassica-heavy beds.
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Rotating bok choy and avoiding planting it near other brassicas can help reduce long-term disease build-up in the soil.
Succession Planting and Crop Rotation
Succession Planting
Bok choy matures quickly—often within 30 to 45 days—making it perfect for succession planting alongside other short-season crops.
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After harvesting an early crop of bok choy, replant with spinach, radishes, or bush beans in the same spot.
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Alternatively, plant bok choy after pulling up early-season peas to continue using that nitrogen-rich soil.
Crop Rotation
To maintain soil health and prevent disease:
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Year 1: Plant bok choy with peas, lettuce, and marigolds.
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Year 2: Move bok choy to a new bed and plant root vegetables or nightshades in the previous one.
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Year 3: Add a legume crop to restore nitrogen.
Avoid planting bok choy in the same location as other brassicas for at least two years to minimize risk of clubroot and other soil-borne diseases.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Companion Practices
Incorporating sustainable practices alongside companion planting enhances your garden’s health and minimizes environmental impact.
Composting and Mulching
Use kitchen scraps and garden waste to create compost. This feeds your soil naturally and provides nutrients for all companion-planted crops.
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Spread compost before planting bok choy and companions like beets or spinach.
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Apply mulch (shredded straw, grass clippings, or pine needles) after planting to reduce watering frequency and prevent erosion.
Pollinator Support
Grow a variety of flowering herbs and perennials nearby, such as:
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Lavender
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Borage
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Echinacea
These attract bees and butterflies, ensuring that all flowering companions and future fruit-bearing plants in your garden benefit from improved pollination.
Sample Companion Planting Layout for Bok Choy
Here's an example layout for a 4x8 raised bed using the companion planting principles discussed:
Center Row:
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Bok choy spaced 8 inches apart
Outer Rows (left and right):
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Peas or bush beans spaced 6 inches apart
Corners:
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Marigold or calendula
Between bok choy plants:
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Lettuce or spinach (alternating)
Perimeter:
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Rosemary, thyme, or sage
This layout ensures pest resistance, soil enrichment, and efficient use of space—while providing a wide variety of harvestable plants.
Final Thoughts
When grown with the right companions, bok choy becomes more than just a salad green. It transforms into a central player in a thriving, diverse, and pest-resistant garden. Companion plants such as garlic, thyme, marigolds, and bush beans don't just cohabitate—they support and enhance bok choy's growth through complementary relationships.
By planning thoughtfully, rotating crops, and adding herbs and flowers strategically, you not only grow better bok choy—you also contribute to a more sustainable and productive gardening environment overall.