Growing guide ยท Vegetable
How to Grow New Zealand Spinach
Days to maturity60 days
Spacing18 in
SeasonWarm-season
Start indoors4 wk pre-frost
US gardeners grow New Zealand spinach because it thrives in the summer heat that makes true spinach bolt and turn bitter. Instead of forming an upright rosette, it sprawls into a low, branching mat of thick, triangular, slightly fuzzy leaves that can spread three to four feet across a bed. From late spring until the first hard frost, you can keep snipping tender shoot tips for a steady supply of cooking greens. It is a favorite in hot Southern and Southwestern gardens where cool-season greens quit by early summer.
When and how to plant
This is a warm-season, tender green that frost will kill, so plant it after your last spring frost once the soil has warmed to about 60 F or more. Because the hard, corky seeds germinate slowly and unevenly, many gardeners soak them in water for 24 hours and either start seeds indoors about four weeks before the last frost or direct sow once the ground is warm. Give it full sun, though it tolerates a little afternoon shade in the hottest regions, and plant in moist, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Space or thin plants to roughly 18 inches apart to allow for their spreading habit.
Care
Keep the soil consistently moist with regular, deep watering, since drought stress slows tip growth and makes leaves tougher. A moderate feeding, such as compost worked in at planting plus a balanced fertilizer once or twice during the season, is plenty. No staking or support is needed because the plant grows as a low ground cover, but give each plant room to sprawl and pinch the growing tips early to encourage bushy, well-branched growth. Mulch helps hold moisture and keep the bed weeded.
Common problems
New Zealand spinach is relatively trouble-free, but watch for aphids on tender new growth, slugs and snails on leaves near the soil, and occasional leaf miners. Downy mildew and other leaf spots can appear in crowded, damp plantings. Prevent most issues by spacing plants for good airflow, watering at the base rather than overhead, clearing plant debris, and handpicking pests or rinsing aphids off with a strong spray of water. Rotating where you plant it each year also helps.
Harvest
Begin harvesting once plants are 8 to 12 inches across and producing plenty of tender shoots, usually about two months after sowing. Pinch or snip the top three to four inches of each stem along with the young leaves, which keeps the plant branching and productive. Harvest as a cut-and-come-again crop, taking a little from many stems every week or two, and the plant will keep regrowing until frost. Pick young growth for the best flavor and texture.
Growing New Zealand Spinach in containers
New Zealand spinach is an excellent container crop for warm weather, although it grows more like a sprawling groundcover than true spinach. Use a 3 to 5-gallon pot at least 10 to 12 inches deep for each plant, or a wide planter for several plants. Fill it with well-drained potting mix, water consistently during hot weather, and apply a light balanced fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks. Pinch or harvest shoot tips often to keep plants compact and productive.
Watering & feeding New Zealand Spinach
Provide about 1 inch of water per week, adding more during prolonged heat, sandy-soil conditions, or container growing. It is moderately drought tolerant once established, though leaves are more tender with even moisture. Water deeply at the soil line and mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and soil splash. Check containers often because they dry quickly, and watch for wilted, dry leaves as a sign of underwatering or yellow, soft growth in wet soil as a sign of overwatering.
New Zealand spinach is a moderate feeder that benefits from compost-amended soil and a gentle supply of nitrogen for leafy growth. Excess fertilizer is unnecessary in rich soil and can lead to overly soft, sprawling growth. Incorporate compost before planting and side-dress lightly after several harvests or if plants pale and slow down. Avoid frequent high-nitrogen applications, particularly in late summer when plants are already growing strongly. Harvest shoot tips often to encourage branching and new leaves. Space plants generously so mulch and irrigation reach the root zone without keeping foliage crowded and damp.
Saving New Zealand Spinach seeds
New Zealand spinach usually comes true from open-pollinated seed, while F1 hybrids do not. Let its small seed capsules mature and turn brown on the plant, then harvest when dry and rub or screen them free from stems. Dry the seed capsules or cleaned seed indoors for another week before storing. In cool, dry storage, seed often remains viable for roughly 4 to 5 years.
New Zealand Spinach companion plants
Grow New Zealand spinach beside upright warm-season crops such as peppers or eggplants, where it can cover open soil without needing a trellis. Bush beans are another suitable neighbor because they use different space and can leave nitrogen-rich residues after harvest. Flowering alyssum or borage nearby can support pollinators and beneficial insects, although specific companion effects for New Zealand spinach are not well established. Avoid pairing it closely with sprawling squash, sweet potatoes, or vigorous vines, which can smother it and compete for moisture.
When to plant New Zealand Spinach near you
Get the exact start-indoors, transplant, and fall planting dates for New Zealand Spinach at your location.
Frequently asked questions about New Zealand Spinach
When should I plant New Zealand Spinach?
Sow New Zealand Spinach outdoors after your last spring frost date, once the soil has warmed to at least the mid 60s Fahrenheit, since seeds germinate poorly in cold soil. You can start seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost to get a head start, and soaking the hard seeds overnight helps speed up sprouting.
How long does New Zealand Spinach take to grow before I can harvest?
New Zealand Spinach is usually ready to harvest about 6 to 8 weeks after planting, once plants have several inches of leafy growth. Unlike true spinach, it keeps producing all summer, so you can pick from the same plants for months.
How much sun does New Zealand Spinach need?
New Zealand Spinach grows best in full sun, meaning about 6 or more hours of direct light per day. It also tolerates partial shade, which can actually help in the hottest parts of the summer in warm US regions.
How far apart should I space New Zealand Spinach plants?
Space New Zealand Spinach plants roughly 12 to 18 inches apart, since each plant sprawls widely and can spread a few feet across. Give rows about 2 to 3 feet of room so the trailing stems have space to fill in.
Can I grow New Zealand Spinach in containers?
Yes, New Zealand Spinach grows well in containers as long as the pot is large and deep, ideally 12 inches or more across, to support its sprawling habit. Use a good potting mix, keep it consistently watered, and consider a hanging basket or wide planter so the stems can trail over the edge.
How do I know when New Zealand Spinach is ready to harvest, and are there common problems?
Harvest by pinching off the top few inches of tender stems and young leaves once plants are established, which also encourages bushier regrowth. The most common issues are bolting and bitter or tough leaves in extreme heat, plus slow germination, so pick young growth often and keep plants well watered.
General guidance for US home gardens. Reference figures are typical values; your exact timing depends on your local frost dates and variety. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.