Crop type: Chinese Cabbage
Brassica rapa (Pekinensis Group) ‘Yuki’
Common name: Chinese cabbage ‘Yuki’
Crop slug: chinese-cabbage
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile. Check the source and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Yuki’ is an easy-to-grow compact Chinese cabbage with dark-green edible leaves and prominent white ribs. Its upright columnar head has a delicate flavour and can be eaten raw or cooked in the same ways as an ordinary cabbage.
The cultivar suits containers and small raised beds, where its compact form uses space efficiently. Good disease resistance and a slow tendency to bolt improve reliability. ‘Yuki’ holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
Its compact upright structure needs less room than a broad large-headed cultivar. Space plants sufficiently for the white-ribbed leaves to gather into a clean column without becoming congested.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Clay and loam
- Moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Soil pH
- Neutral or alkaline
Use fertile ground or compost that retains steady moisture while draining freely. Even growth complements the cultivar’s natural slowness to bolt and helps its tender dark-green leaves remain crisp.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- South- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H3 — hardy in coastal and relatively mild UK locations at approximately −5 to 1°C
Grow in a bright sheltered site and protect young plants from severe spring weather. H3 suits a normal seasonal crop in mild conditions, but does not imply full winter hardiness in colder districts.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
| Season | Flowers | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | — | Green | — |
| Summer | — | Green and white | — |
| Autumn | — | Green and white | — |
The mature head presents a strong two-colour pattern: dark-green leaf blades rise vertically around wide, pale-white ribs and a closely packed interior.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Brassica includes upright annuals, biennials and perennials with alternate, often glaucous foliage, long taproots and cross-shaped yellow or white flowers. The genus contains numerous food crops bred for edible leaves, stems, roots and seeds.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Sow indoors under glass from February to April and transplant in early summer, or direct-sow outdoors in May at 1cm deep in drills 30cm apart.
When direct seedlings reach about 2cm tall, thin them to 15–20cm apart. Make further sowings at 14-day intervals for a continuing supply. Keep young plants protected and watered so the compact column develops without a check in growth.
Propagation
Propagate by seed.
Suggested locations
- Patio and container plants
- Small raised vegetable beds
Pruning
No pruning is required. Remove only damaged outer leaves and cut the complete head when ready.
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, cabbage root fly, cabbage caterpillars, cabbage whitefly, cutworms, flea beetles, slugs and snails. Cover seedlings and heads with suitable mesh and inspect around the white ribs.
Diseases
May be susceptible to club root, downy mildew, black rot, grey mould and leaf spot despite its general good disease resistance. Rotate brassicas and maintain drainage and airflow.