CHINESE BROCCOLI (Kailaan) Vegetable Seeds
Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra
- Classic Asian green grown for its tender stems, glossy leaves, and delicate flower buds.
- Fast-growing and highly productive—perfect for stir-fries, steaming, and light sautés.
- Cut-and-come-again habit: harvest young stems to encourage continuous side shoots.
- Thrives in cool to mild weather and handles shoulder seasons better than heading broccoli.
- Matures quickly (often 45–60 days), ideal for successive plantings and small spaces.
Chinese Broccoli, also called Kailaan / Gai Lan, is a staple leafy brassica prized for its sweet, slightly mustardy flavour and juicy stems. Unlike heading broccoli, Kailaan is harvested as whole young shoots—stems, leaves and unopened buds—over an extended picking window. Grow in fertile, well-drained soil and harvest regularly for the best texture and taste. For a seasonal overview of broccoli types and tips, see our Complete Guide to Growing Broccoli Varieties in Australia.
Plant Details
- Plant Type: Annual, cool–mild season leafy brassica
- Mature Height: 30 – 50 cm (pick young shoots)
- Frost Hardy: Tolerates light frosts; best in frost-free periods
Sowing Information
| Climate Zone | Best Sowing Time |
|---|---|
| Temperate | March – May, August – October |
| Subtropical | March – April, August – September |
| Tropical | May – July (dry/cooler months) |
| Cool | September – November |
| Arid | March – April, August |
- Germination: 5 – 10 days
- Sowing Depth: 0.5 – 1 cm
- Spacing: 20 – 30 cm between plants; 35 – 45 cm between rows
- Sunlight: Full sun to light afternoon shade in warmer regions
- Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil with pH 6.0 – 7.5, enriched with compost
Growing Tips
- Keep moisture even for tender stems; mulch to reduce heat stress and suppress weeds.
- Feed with a nitrogen-rich liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks for leafy growth.
- Harvest young shoots before flower buds open—regular picking promotes more side shoots.
- Succession sow every 3–4 weeks for a steady supply across the season.
- Protect seedlings from cabbage moth and aphids using netting or organic controls.
Harvest
Begin picking 45 – 60 days from sowing. Cut 15–25 cm shoots (stems, leaves and unopened buds) while crisp and tender. Frequent harvests extend the cropping window and improve quality.