How to Grow New Zealand Spinach

Filed under: How to Grow, Tagged as: how to grow, new zealand spinach

New Zealand spinach is a perennial grown as a warm-weather annual. Sow New Zealand spinach in the garden about the date of the average last frost in spring or later. It can be started indoors 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost in spring for later transplanting. New Zealand spinach is not frost hardy like true spinach. The two plants are not related but can be used fresh or cooked in the same way. Plant New Zealand spinach in the warm part of the year when regular spinach will not grow.

Description. New Zealand spinach is a perennial vegetable grown as a tender annual. It is a low-growing, weak-stemmed leafy plant that can spread several feet wide and grow to one foot tall. It has succulent, triangular- to oval-shaped leaves that are pale to dark green and grow from 2 to 4 inches long. The leaves of New Zealand spinach are smaller and fuzzier than those of regular spinach. New Zealand spinach has small yellow flowers and conical capsules.

Yield. Grow one or two New Zealand spinach plants per household member.

Site. Plant New Zealand spinach in full sun. New Zealand spinach prefers moisture-retentive, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. New Zealand spinach is weak-stemmed and will appear to trail across the garden. Set plants in hills similar to squash. New Zealand spinach prefers a soil pH of 6.8 to 7.0. Prepare planting beds with well aged compost. Where summer heat is intense, plant New Zealand spinach where it will get partial shade in the afternoon.

Planting time. New Zealand spinach grows best as a warm-weather annual in temperatures ranging from 60° to 75°F. Sow New Zealand spinach in the garden about the date of the average last frost in spring or later. Start New Zealand spinach indoors 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost in spring for later transplanting. New Zealand spinach is not frost hardy like true spinach. Plant New Zealand spinach in the warm part of the year when regular spinach will not grow. The plant is drought tolerant but the leaves will not be as tender. New Zealand spinach requires 55 to 65 days to reach harvest.

Planting and spacing. Sow New Zealand spinach ½ inch deep and 2 to 4 inches apart. New Zealand spinach grows from seed clusters that produce several seedlings, similar to beet seed. Soak seeds overnight in water to speed germination. When seedlings are 3 inches tall, thin to the strongest seedlings, from 12 to 18 inches apart. Set New Zealand spinach in hills similar to squash. This will allow the weak-stem to sprawl. Space hills or rows 24 to 36 inches apart.

Water and feeding. Keep New Zealand spinach evenly moist; water regularly for rapid, full growth. Do not let the soil dry out. New Zealand spinach is drought tolerant once established but leaves will not be as tender or flavorful. Mulch to retain soil moisture. Prepare planting beds with aged compost. Side dress plants with aged compost at mid season.

Companion plants. Strawberries. Avoid planting New Zealand spinach in the shade of tall plants such as corn or pole beans.

Container growing. New Zealand spinach will grow well in containers. Grow two plants in a 5-gallon pot.

Pests. New Zealand spinach has no serious pest problems.

Diseases. New Zealand spinach has no serious disease problems.

Harvest. New Zealand spinach will be ready for harvest 55 to 65 days after sowing. Cut young leaves and tender leaf tips for the best flavor. This cut-and-come-again harvest will encourage new growth and a longer harvest.

Varieties. Maori is the most commonly grown variety.

Storing and preserving. New Zealand spinach will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week. New Zealand spinach can be frozen canned or dried.

Common name. New Zealand spinach

Botanical name. Tetragonia tetragoniodes

Origin. New Zealand

Grow 80 vegetables: THE KITCHEN GARDEN GROWERS' GUIDE

Posted by Stephen Albert on March 29, 2009 under: How to Grow , Tagged as: how to grow, new zealand spinach
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Can you eat NZ spinach raw, or must it be cooked?

Posted by: pt | July 14, 2009 3:59 AM | Reply

Yes, you can eat New Zealand spinach raw. Treat New Zealand spinach like regular spinach and use it in salads or on sandwiches. The flavor will be milder, a bit less acidic than regular spinach. You can also quick-boil New Zealand spinach for 1 minute--a quick 1 minute. Just drop the leaves into water that has reached a rapid boil. You can dress it with olive oil, lemon juice, crushed garlic and salt and pepper--all to taste.

Posted by: Stephen Albert replied to comment from pt | July 19, 2009 12:26 PM | Reply

I have had NZ spinach for years and my family loves it. But how do you gather the seeds for planting the next year. I have been letting it die back after the hard frost and transplant the volunteers in the spring, always worrying "what if there are no baby plants in the spring?". Last year I had the fewest transplants since i have been growing this plant. Any advice?

Posted by: linda r | October 31, 2009 10:53 AM | Reply

You have been allowing your New Zealand spinach plants to re-seed themselves. To ensure you have the number of plants you want next season, collect seed from your plants and start them indoors or in the garden next season. To collect seed allow several plants to flower and set seed at the end of the season. That means stopping your harvest a bit early to that your plants have the time and energy to set seed. New Zealand spinach sets green horn-shaped seed along its stem. Allow the seed to turn dark brown at the end of the hot season before collecting the seed. Once the seed turns from dark brown to black it will drop on its own into the soil--and so you will find volunteer plants nearby next season. Instead of allowing the seed to fall, collect it by hand. Black seed can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to seven years (but you will likely sow it next season). Brown seed should be allowed to dry in the shade for a week before storing.

Posted by: Stephen Albert replied to comment from linda r | November 1, 2009 9:33 AM | Reply

Hi, I live in Texas. We get plenty of cold, freezing winter weather and have long, hot summers. A very long growing season. Our ground does not freeze and perennials, even tropicals, will die back on top but return in the spring from the roots. If New Zealand spinach is a perennial, it should do the same. Has anyone grown it in an area with freezing temps and it returns in the spring?

Posted by: John | December 10, 2009 3:16 AM | Reply

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