Days to Maturity: 60 days from direct sow,
New Zealand Spinach is a heat-tolerant, long-lasting leafy green that thrives when traditional spinach fades. Unlike true spinach, New Zealand Spinach is a warm-season plant that produces tender, succulent, triangle-shaped leaves on sprawling, vining plants that can reach 1 to 2 feet across. Its mild, slightly nutty flavor is perfect for fresh salads, steaming, sauteing, or as a nutritious spinach substitute in any cooked dish. This variety is prized for its resilience in hot weather, drought tolerance, and continuous harvest throughout the summer months when other leafy greens may bolt.
Also known as perpetual spinach or summer spinach, New Zealand Spinach is an excellent choice for edible landscapes, raised beds, and large containers. It works well as a ground cover or trailing plant and benefits from succession planting for a steady supply of greens. Pair it with warm-weather companions like peppers, tomatoes, carrots, or bush beans. Because it thrives in heat, it fills the seasonal gap left by cool-loving greens and can be harvested continually by pinching back the growing tips.
New Zealand Spinach grows best in full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. It should be direct sown after the danger of frost has passed, as it prefers warm soil to germinate. While slower to start than other greens, it becomes a vigorous, productive plant with minimal care. Its superior heat tolerance and extended growing season, making it a must-have for summer gardens and for gardeners looking to enjoy fresh, homegrown greens long after spring spinach has bolted.
