How to Grow Gai Lan in New Zealand
Chinese broccoli, with stems, leaves and florets all eaten together. Quicker than regular broccoli. Cover against white butterfly.
When to plant gai lan in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Auckland | February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Waikato & BoP | February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Wellington | February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Nelson & Marlborough | February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Canterbury | February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Otago & Southland | February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Central Otago | February, March, April, August, September, October |
Best gai lan varieties for NZ
- Gai Lan / Kailaan (White Flower) — Chinese broccoli with thick edible stems, leaves and small flower heads. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
- Green Lance F1 — Uniform hybrid gai lan with tender stems, quick to crop. (Mr Fothergill's NZ, Kings Seeds)
How to grow gai lan
- Space plants about 25cm apart.
- Sow seed around 0.5cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 55 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 7 days.
Companion planting
Grow gai lan near: Beetroot, Onion, Dill.
Pests and problems
Watch for: White butterfly, Aphids, Diamondback moth. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Gai Lan plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant gai lan in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in February, March, April, August, September, October. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy gai lan seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds, Mr Fothergill's NZ.