How to Grow Ruby Mound
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Ruby Mound
Atriplex hortensis var. rubra
vegetableRuby Mound is an ornamental-edible variety of garden orach with striking deep red to burgundy foliage that forms a compact, bushy mound. It combines stunning visual appeal with mild, spinach-like edible leaves that are excellent for salads and garnishes. This heat-tolerant plant grows quickly and adds dramatic color to both vegetable gardens and ornamental landscapes.
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Example Ruby Mound timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Ruby Mound
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 Ruby Mound
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ruby Mound dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-10; prefers cooler seasons but heat-tolerant compared to spinach
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Seedling
7-10 daysTiny red-tinged cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves with reddish coloring. Plants are delicate and vulnerable.
Keep soil moist. Thin seedlings when 2 inches tall. Protect from strong wind and direct intense heat. Provide gentle airflow to prevent damping off.
Vegetative Growth
2-3 weeksRapidly develops multiple stems with increasingly deep red foliage. Leaves become larger and more prominent. Plant forms its characteristic mounded shape.
Thin to proper spacing. Keep consistently watered. Begin light harvesting of outer leaves once plant is 4-6 inches tall. Fertilize weekly with balanced fertilizer if soil is poor.
Leaf Production Peak
2-4 weeksPlant reaches mature size with full burgundy coloration. Maximum leaf production occurs. Foliage is tender and most flavorful.
Continue regular harvesting of outer leaves to encourage bushier growth and delay bolting. Maintain consistent moisture. Monitor for pests.
Bolting
1-2 weeks before full boltingPlant sends up a central flower spike with tiny reddish-purple flowers. Leaves become tougher and may develop bitter flavor. Growth slows.
Pinch off flower spikes to extend harvest life, though this only delays bolting. Plant is nearing end of prime productivity. Consider succession planting in cool seasons.
Senescence
2+ weeksPlant fully flowers and sets seed. Leaves lose quality and flavor. Growth stops entirely.
Harvest has largely ceased. Leave plants to set seeds if desired for self-seeding next season, or remove and compost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Use floating row covers on young plants; spray with neem oil or spinosad; apply diatomaceous earth around base
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Hand-pick if few; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis); encourage parasitic wasps
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticide if severe; improve air circulation
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and
Hand-pick at dusk; use beer traps; apply copper tape around planting beds; encourage ground beetles
Uses
Salad Greens & Garnish
CulinaryYoung, tender leaves add color and mild flavor to fresh salads, with a slightly nutty taste. Excellent as a decorative garnish for plated dishes. The striking red color persists through light cooking. [source]
Cooked Greens
CulinaryMature leaves can be steamed, sautéed, or added to soups like spinach. Cooking reduces any mineral notes and brings out a subtle sweetness. Retains its beautiful color even after cooking. [source]
Natural Dye Source
HouseholdRuby Mound leaves have been historically used to create red and purple dyes for fabrics and foods. The deep red pigmentation (due to betalains and anthocyanins) makes it valuable for natural dye production. [source]
Microgreens Production
CulinaryOrach seeds germinate quickly and produce flavorful, colorful microgreens in 10-14 days. These tiny shoots have intense flavor and dramatic burgundy color for restaurant-quality plating. [source]
Pollinator & Bird Food
WildlifeWhen allowed to flower and set seed, Ruby Mound attracts bees and other pollinators. The mature seeds are eaten by finches and other seed-eating birds, supporting local wildlife. [source]
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves when plant is 4-6 inches tall by pinching or cutting with scissors. Harvest regularly (every 2-3 days) to encourage new growth and delay bolting. Leaves are most tender in early morning. Can cut entire outer section, leaving central growing point intact. Young leaves are mildest; older leaves may develop slightly mineral flavor. Once plant bolts, quality declines rapidly. Best harvested in spring and fall; plant tends to bolt quickly in peak summer heat.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Ruby Mound is also known as 'mountain spinach' or 'French spinach,' and has been cultivated since ancient times in the Mediterranean region. It was prized by Victorian gardeners for its ornamental foliage.
- 🌱 Unlike spinach, orach is extremely heat-tolerant and actually prefers to be harvested before spinach bolts in summer, making it a valuable warm-season salad green in temperate climates.
- 🌱 The deep red color in Ruby Mound leaves comes from betalain and anthocyanin pigments, the same compounds found in beets and red cabbage, which provide antioxidant health benefits.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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