New Zealand Spinach

New Zealand Spinach is a heat-tolerant spinach alternative. A distant cousin of true spinach, it is used the same way for its texture and flavor, with small spear-shaped leaves on tall, upright plants. It resists bolting and produces all summer long, and is a great source of vitamin C.

At a glance

• Variety: New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides)
• Type: Heirloom green, open-pollinated, non-GMO
• Leaves: Small, spear-shaped, on upright plants
• Sun: Full sun
• Traits: Heat tolerant, slow to bolt
• Use: Cooked greens, summer salads

Best for

• Summer greens when true spinach bolts
• Hot-climate gardens
• Steamed and sauteed dishes
• Continuous warm-season harvests
• Vitamin C-rich home cooking

How to grow

Soak seeds before sowing to aid germination, then direct sow after frost has passed in full sun with fertile soil. The plants thrive in heat and keep producing through summer. Harvest tender tips regularly to encourage fresh growth.

Flavor profile

Mild and spinach-like with a tender, succulent texture best enjoyed lightly cooked.

About MIgardener

MIgardener is a Michigan-based family company offering affordable, non-GMO heirloom seeds and gardening supplies, with a mission to make growing your own food simple and accessible.