This library and any plant lists generated from it reflect plants we’ve carried or could obtain over the past 12–18 months, not our current inventory or availability.

“Fire Wise” plants are not fireproof. These plants, when maintained properly, have a higher fire resistance reducing fire danger. This list is built on the recommendations of local governments and the Diablo Firesafe Council

Plant Library
vegetable

Bilko Napa Cabbage

Brassica rapa var. pekinensis 'Bilko'

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Bilko Napa Cabbage (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis 'Bilko') at East Bay Nursery

Bilko Napa Cabbage foliage

Bilko Napa Cabbage foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  12 inches

Spacing:  12 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  (annual)

Other Names:  Chinese Cabbage

Description:

A culinary delight, featuring green crinkled leaves forming a dense head; a cool season performer that is great for gardens or large containers; mild pleasant flavor creates a vegetable that is very versatile; great in soups, stews and coleslaw

Edible Qualities

Bilko Napa Cabbage is an annual vegetable plant that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. The crinkled oval green leaves with pointy white spines are typically harvested when mature. The leaves have a pleasant taste and a crisp texture.

The leaves are most often used in the following ways:

  • Fresh Eating
  • Eating When Cooked/Prepared
  • Cooking

Planting & Growing

Bilko Napa Cabbage will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 inches. When planted in rows, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart. This fast-growing vegetable plant is an annual, which means that it will grow for one season in your garden and then die after producing a crop.

This plant is typically grown in a designated vegetable garden. It does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Bilko Napa Cabbage is a good choice for the vegetable garden, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing the canvas against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone  Plant Height  Minimum Sunlight   
Characteristics
Garden  Container 
Applications
Vegetable 
Features & Attributes

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