Sword Choy (A-Choy)

Sword Choy or Sword Lettuce is a crisp and tender, slightly serrated, loose-leaf lettuce with a texture like butter lettuce, a deep crunchy midrib, and mild and nutty flavor that is reminiscent of almonds! This refreshing plant is very popular in the hot climates of Taiwan and Southern China and is delicious in stir-fries, salads, and soups. It is often stir-fried with fresh chopped garlic or blanched and served with oyster sauce much like Yu Choy Sum. This hardy, easy-to-grow plant thrives in cool weather, making it a great choice for both spring and fall gardens. Sword Choy is also incredibly nutritious, packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which makes it a fantastic addition to any healthy diet. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, this low-maintenance plant is a great way to add variety and color to your edible garden, providing fresh, flavorful greens throughout the growing season.

Also Known As: AA Choy Sum, A-Choy, AA Cai, Chinese Narrow Leaf Lettuce, Oriental Lettuce, Yu Mai Tsai, Pointed Leaf Lettuce, Arden Lettuce, Taiwanese Sword Lettuce, Taiwanese Cabbage, Taiwanese Pointed Lettuce Greens, AA Chop Xin, "A" Lettuce, Stem Lettuce, Celtuce Lettuce, Wosun, Celery Lettuce, Sharp Leaf Celtuce, Benih, Wangi, Manis, Salad Tajam.

Plant Name:	Lettuce, Sword Choy
Latin Name:	Lactuca sativa
Days to Germinate:	4-8
Days to Harvest:	55
Plant Height:	12 - 18 Inches
Spread:	6 - 12 Inches
Growth Habit:	Rosette
USDA Zones:	3-11
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 12 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Planting sword choy in cooler weather helps prevent bolting, which can occur in hot temperatures (sword choy grows best in 45F-75F temperatures).

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 3-4 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when the soil temperature is above 50F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying roots in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant in spring when the soil warms to at least 50F. For fall crops, direct sow seeds outdoors 4-8 weeks before the first frost. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 8-12 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole or broadcast and separate once seedlings emerge. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. For a continuous harvest, plant successive crops every 2 to 3 weeks.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	8-12 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Mulching around the plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 3-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Sword Choy can be harvested when the leaves are tender and have reached about 6-10 inches in height, typically 30-45 days after planting. For a continuous harvest, individual outer leaves can be picked by hand while allowing the inner leaves to continue growing. If harvesting the entire plant, cut it at the base just above the soil level using a sharp knife or garden shears. Harvesting in the early morning ensures the leaves are crisp and retain maximum moisture. Regular harvesting encourages new growth and prevents the plant from bolting, especially in warmer weather. If left too long, the leaves may become tough and bitter, so harvesting at the right time ensures the best flavor and texture.