How to Grow New Zealand Spinach
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New Zealand Spinach
Tetragonia tetragonioides
vegetableNew Zealand spinach is a heat-loving leafy green that is unrelated to true spinach but offers similar culinary uses. Unlike true spinach, it thrives in hot weather and can be harvested continuously throughout the growing season. Its succulent, triangular leaves provide a tender, mild-flavored green perfect for summer gardens where spinach would bolt.
When should you plant New Zealand Spinach in your zone?
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Example New Zealand Spinach timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant New Zealand Spinach
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest New Zealand Spinach
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact New Zealand Spinach dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; can be grown as annual in zones 3-4 with warm-season planting
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTender seedlings emerge with oval cotyledons and develop true leaves within 1-2 weeks. Plants are delicate and vulnerable to damping off.
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Ensure good air circulation. Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost or direct sow after soil warms to 60°F.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops sprawling, bushy growth with multiple branches. Triangular, somewhat succulent leaves emerge along spreading stems. Plant may reach 12-18 inches in diameter.
Water regularly and keep soil consistently moist. Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushier growth. Begin light harvesting when plant has 4-6 true leaves.
Leaf Production
6-12 weeks or until frostPlant reaches mature size and produces abundant tender leaves continuously. New leaves emerge from branch nodes, and plant becomes increasingly sprawling.
Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued production. Water deeply during hot spells. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch to keep soil cool and moist. Feed with balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.
Mid-Season Maintenance
OngoingPlant continues vigorous growth and leaf production. May become quite large and spreading, sometimes reaching 2-3 feet across.
Continue regular harvesting to prevent flowering and maintain leaf tenderness. Increase watering frequency in extreme heat. Prune leggy stems to maintain shape and encourage bushiness.
End of Season
Until frostPlant may begin flowering and producing seed pods as temperatures cool in fall. Leaf quality may decline slightly, and growth slows.
Continue harvesting leaves if desired. Pinch off flowers to extend leaf production. In frost-prone areas, plants will die back with first hard freeze.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge mites. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap in severe infestations. Increase humidity around plants.
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Spray with strong water stream. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and control. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Maintain good air circulation.
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and
(Gastropoda)
Hand-pick in early morning or evening. Use copper tape or barriers. Apply diatomaceous earth around base. Beer traps are effective.
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Use floating row covers on young plants. Apply neem oil or spinosad. Remove debris where beetles overwinter.
Uses
Summer Salads and Cooking
CulinaryNew Zealand spinach leaves are mild, tender, and succulent, making them ideal for fresh salads and cooked dishes. Unlike true spinach, they don't wilt as dramatically when cooked and maintain good texture in stir-fries, soups, and steamed preparations. [source]
Heat-Tolerant Alternative to Spinach
CulinaryThis plant fills the summer gap when true spinach bolts in hot weather, providing a continuous source of nutritious greens from June through frost. It requires the same basic preparation and cooking methods as regular spinach. [source]
Nutritional Content
MedicinalNew Zealand spinach is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium. It provides similar nutritional benefits to true spinach and can be incorporated into healthy diets. [source]
Space-Efficient Summer Growing
HouseholdWith its sprawling but controlled growth habit, New Zealand spinach is excellent for containers, raised beds, and small spaces. A single plant produces abundant harvests throughout the season with minimal input. [source]
Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeIf allowed to flower, New Zealand spinach produces small flowers that attract beneficial insects. The plant itself provides shelter for pest-controlling predators in the garden ecosystem. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves when plant is 4-6 weeks old. Pinch off leaves from the outside working inward, leaving the central growing tip intact. Harvest in morning when leaves are crisp and cool. Continue regular harvesting throughout the season to promote bushier growth and prevent flowering. New leaves will continuously emerge. In heat, harvest frequently as plants can bolt suddenly. Leaves are best when tender and young; older leaves may become slightly tough.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Despite its name, New Zealand spinach is not a true spinach (genus Spinacia) but belongs to an entirely different plant family (Aizoaceae). It was likely named for its culinary similarity and origin in the South Pacific region.
- 🌱 The seed pods of New Zealand spinach are distinctive four-winged structures that resemble tiny lanterns or bumpy spheres, very different from true spinach seeds.
- 🌱 Early European explorers, including Captain Cook, brought New Zealand spinach seeds back from their voyages, and it has been cultivated worldwide for over 200 years as a heat-tolerant vegetable alternative.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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