Spinach Seeds

Why Grow Spinach?

Spinach Seeds for Different Growing Goals

True spinach, silverbeet and warm-climate spinach alternatives have different seasonal requirements, leaf textures and culinary uses.

Choose Spinach by Type

What Is True Spinach?

True spinach is the cool-season leafy vegetable botanically known as Spinacia oleracea. It forms a low rosette of tender green leaves and is commonly grown for baby leaf, mature foliage and bunching.

True-spinach varieties include:

• Baby Leaf Spinach
• Winter Giant
• Bloomsdale
• Viroflay
• Other smooth-leaf, semi-savoy and savoy cultivars

True spinach generally performs best during cool to mild weather. Increasing heat and day length can cause plants to bolt, producing a tall flower stem and smaller, stronger-flavoured leaves.

English Spinach, Baby Spinach and Savoy Spinach

These names commonly describe different varieties or harvest stages of true spinach.

Is Baby Spinach Different from Regular Spinach?

Baby spinach is generally the same species as mature English spinach. The primary difference is the stage at which the leaves are harvested.

Is Silverbeet the Same as Spinach?

No. Silverbeet and true spinach are different crops, although both are leafy vegetables used in similar dishes.

Silverbeet is a form of Beta vulgaris, the same species that includes beetroot and Swiss chard. True spinach is Spinacia oleracea.

What Is Perpetual Spinach?

Perpetual spinach is not true spinach. It is a leaf-beet or chard type selected for relatively narrow stalks and abundant green leaves.

It combines several useful characteristics:

• Long harvest period
• Repeated outer-leaf picking
• Greater heat tolerance than true spinach
• Productive mature foliage
• Flavour and texture suited to cooking

Perpetual spinach is useful where growers want a long-lived leafy vegetable rather than a rapid cool-season baby-spinach crop.

Warm-Climate Spinach Alternatives

True spinach performs poorly during prolonged hot weather. Several separate crops are commonly grown as warm-climate spinach alternatives.

What Is Ceylon Spinach?

Ceylon spinach, also called Malabar spinach, is a warm-season climbing leafy vegetable. It is botanically distinct from true spinach and is generally classified within the genus Basella.

The plant produces succulent leaves and fleshy stems during hot weather. Green-stem and red-stem forms are grown for both edible foliage and ornamental appearance.

Ceylon spinach:

• Prefers warm to hot conditions
• Can be trained onto a trellis
• Produces thick, slightly mucilaginous leaves
• Can be harvested repeatedly
• Is generally cooked rather than used as a direct baby-spinach substitute

What Is Water Spinach?

Water spinach, Ipomoea aquatica, is a tropical leafy vegetable grown for its tender hollow stems and leaves. It is also known by names including kangkong, kangkung and morning glory.

It thrives in warm and humid conditions but has different growing, biosecurity and environmental considerations from true spinach.

Growers should follow current state and territory requirements concerning the cultivation, possession and movement of water spinach. Product availability does not override local weed or biosecurity controls.

What Are Warrigal Greens?

Warrigal greens, Tetragonia tetragonioides, are a spreading leafy vegetable native to Australia, New Zealand and parts of the Pacific region.

The plant tolerates warmer conditions and can provide leafy growth when true spinach is out of season.

Warrigal greens are generally cooked before eating. Harvest young tips and leaves regularly to encourage branching and continued growth.

What Does Spinach Taste Like?

True spinach has a mild green flavour with slightly earthy, sweet and mineral notes. Flavour varies with leaf age, variety, season and preparation.

How to Grow Spinach in Australia

True spinach is a cool-season leafy vegetable requiring fertile, free-draining soil, consistent moisture and mild temperatures.

When to Plant Spinach in Australia

True spinach is generally planted from late summer through winter or during suitable spring conditions. The ideal period depends on local heat and frost.

These sowing periods are general guides for true spinach. Ceylon, Egyptian and water spinach require warm-season planting rather than cool-season conditions.

When to Plant Spinach in Australian States and Cities

Planting periods should be adjusted according to local frost, winter drainage and the arrival of spring heat.

When to Plant Warm-Climate Spinach Alternatives

Warm-season spinach alternatives should not be planted according to the same calendar as true English spinach.

How to Grow Spinach from Seed

True spinach is generally direct-sown because it grows quickly and can respond poorly to severe root disturbance. It may also be raised in individual cells for carefully spaced mature plants.

1. Choose a cool-season planting period.
   Plan the crop so leaf production occurs before prolonged heat.
2. Prepare fertile, free-draining soil.
   Remove weeds and incorporate suitable organic matter where required.
3. Sow at the correct depth.
   Plant true-spinach seed approximately 1–2 cm deep.
4. Water gently.
   Maintain consistent moisture without leaving the seedbed saturated.
5. Protect emerging seedlings.
   Monitor for birds, rodents, slugs, snails and leaf-eating insects.
6. Thin according to harvest stage.
   Dense crops suit baby leaf, while mature plants require wider spacing.
7. Maintain steady growth.
   Water during dry periods and avoid severe nutrient or moisture stress.
8. Harvest promptly.
   Cut baby leaves or remove mature outer foliage before plants begin heavy flowering.

How Deep Should Spinach Seeds Be Planted?

Plant true-spinach seeds approximately 1–2 cm deep. Cover them with fine soil and water gently.

How Long Do Spinach Seeds Take to Germinate?

True-spinach seeds commonly germinate within approximately 7–14 days under suitable cool to mild conditions.

Should Spinach Seeds Be Soaked Before Planting?

Soaking is optional. True-spinach seed can be sown dry into prepared, moist soil.

A short soak may help hydrate the seed before sowing, particularly where conditions are dry. Do not soak for an extended period or plant soaked seed into waterlogged soil.

Where soaking is used:

• Soak for several hours
• Drain thoroughly
• Plant immediately
• Keep the seedbed cool and moist
• Avoid prolonged saturation

Can Spinach Seedlings Be Transplanted?

Yes. Spinach seedlings can be transplanted while young, although direct sowing is generally more efficient for baby-leaf production.

Raise individual seedlings in cells and move them before roots become densely bound. Harden them gradually and transplant during mild conditions.

Avoid damaging the central growing point or burying the crown deeply.

How Far Apart Should Spinach Be Planted?

Spacing depends on whether spinach will be harvested as baby leaf, small plants or mature rosettes.

How Long Does Spinach Take to Grow?

True spinach can produce baby leaves within approximately 25–35 days, while mature plants commonly require around 40–60 days.

Growing time varies with variety, temperature, sunlight, soil fertility, water, plant density and preferred harvest size.

Is Spinach Cut-and-Come-Again?

Yes. True spinach can provide several harvests when the outer leaves are removed without damaging the central crown.

Silverbeet, perpetual spinach, Ceylon spinach, Warrigal greens and Egyptian spinach are particularly well suited to repeated picking.

Cut-and-come-again performance depends on:

• Leaving the central growing point intact
• Maintaining consistent moisture
• Providing balanced fertility
• Harvesting before severe bolting
• Controlling leaf-eating pests
• Avoiding removal of all foliage

How to Harvest Spinach So It Keeps Growing

Remove the largest outer leaves and leave the small central foliage intact.

For dense baby-leaf crops, cut the leaves several centimetres above the soil without damaging the crown.

Use clean scissors or a sharp harvesting knife. Ragged cuts and crushed crowns can slow regrowth.

After harvesting:

• Water if the soil is dry
• Remove damaged or diseased leaves
• Maintain balanced nutrition
• Allow new foliage to reach useful size before cutting again
• Replace crops once bolting or poor regrowth begins

Growing Spinach in Pots and Containers

Spinach grows well in pots, troughs, window boxes and raised containers.

Can Spinach Grow in Shade?

True spinach can tolerate partial shade and may benefit from afternoon protection in warmer climates.

Full sun generally produces the strongest growth through cool weather. Light shade can delay bolting as seasonal temperatures rise.

Deep shade may result in weak, elongated foliage and slower growth. Provide several hours of direct or strong filtered light each day.

Can Spinach Be Grown Indoors?

Spinach can be grown indoors where it receives strong light, cool temperatures, airflow and adequate drainage.

A bright window may support small crops, but insufficient light commonly produces pale, weak growth. Horticultural lighting may be required where natural light is limited.

Indoor spinach should be:

• Grown in clean containers with drainage
• Provided with strong light
• Protected from overheated rooms
• Spaced for adequate airflow
• Watered without leaving standing moisture
• Harvested regularly while young

Watering and Feeding Spinach

Consistent moisture supports tender leaves and reduces stress-related bolting.

Water deeply enough to moisten the active root zone while avoiding permanently saturated soil.

Spinach generally benefits from:

• Fertile soil containing suitable organic matter
• Balanced nutrition during active leaf growth
• Moderate nitrogen rather than excessive feeding
• Mulch around widely spaced mature plants
• Regular watering during dry weather

Why Does Spinach Bolt?

Bolting occurs when true spinach begins producing a flower stem rather than continuing vegetative leaf growth.

Common causes include:

Sow new crops successively rather than attempting to keep one true-spinach planting productive indefinitely.

When to Harvest Spinach

Spinach may be harvested from the baby-leaf stage through to full maturity.

Baby leaves are ready once they reach a useful size, commonly around 5–10 cm long. Mature outer leaves can be harvested before they become tough or the plant begins flowering.

Signs of harvest readiness include:

• Leaves have reached the preferred culinary or market size
• The foliage is fresh green and tender
• Stems remain crisp
• The plant has not developed a tall flower stalk
• Leaf texture suits the intended use

How to Harvest Spinach

There are three common harvesting methods.

Harvest during the cooler part of the day where practical and cool the leaves promptly.

Can Spinach Be Eaten Raw?

Yes. Tender baby spinach and young true-spinach leaves are commonly eaten raw.

Raw uses include:

Mature silverbeet, Ceylon spinach and Warrigal greens have different textures and preparation requirements and are generally used cooked.

How to Prepare Spinach

Spinach can hold soil and grit around the leaves and stems, particularly crinkled savoy varieties.

1. Inspect the leaves.
   Remove yellow, slimy, damaged or heavily soiled foliage.
2. Wash thoroughly.
   Rinse in clean water and agitate the leaves to release grit.
3. Repeat where necessary.
   Savoy spinach may require more than one wash.
4. Drain or dry.
   Remove excess water before sautéing, roasting or adding to salads.
5. Trim mature stems.
   Remove coarse stems or cook them separately where required.
6. Use promptly.
   Prepared spinach deteriorates more quickly once washed and bruised.

How to Cook Spinach

Spinach cooks quickly and reduces substantially in volume.

How to Sauté Spinach

Wash and dry the spinach thoroughly. Heat a small amount of oil or butter in a wide pan.

Add garlic or other aromatics where required, followed by the spinach. Turn the leaves until they are evenly wilted.

Avoid overcrowding the pan with wet leaves, as this causes steaming and releases additional liquid.

Season after the leaves reduce in volume. Drain excess moisture where the spinach will be used in pies, pastries or filled dishes.

How to Cook Silverbeet and Perpetual Spinach

Silverbeet and perpetual spinach have thicker stalks than true spinach.

Separate substantial stalks from the leaf blades where necessary. Slice and begin cooking the stalks first, then add the leaves once the stems begin softening.

Suitable cooking methods include:

• Steaming
• Sautéing
• Stir-frying
• Adding to soups and curries
• Using in pies and savoury pastries
• Combining with eggs, cheese or legumes

How to Store Fresh Spinach

Spinach is a delicate leafy vegetable and should be cooled promptly after harvest.

Remove damaged foliage and excess moisture before storage.

For household storage:

• Protect leaves from crushing
• Refrigerate promptly
• Use a suitable produce bag or sealed container
• Include absorbent paper where excess moisture is present
• Wash shortly before use where practical
• Discard leaves that become slimy or develop an unpleasant smell

Spinach is best used while the leaves remain crisp and fresh.

How Long Does Spinach Last in the Refrigerator?

Storage life depends on freshness at harvest, leaf condition, moisture and refrigerator temperature.

Fresh dry leaves generally keep longer than bruised or wet spinach. Baby leaves often deteriorate more rapidly than robust mature foliage.

Use spinach promptly and inspect it regularly. Discard leaves that become slimy, mouldy, strongly discoloured or unpleasant smelling.

Can Spinach Be Frozen?

Yes. Spinach can be frozen for later cooked use.

Can Baby Spinach Be Frozen?

Yes. Baby spinach can be frozen, although the leaves become soft after thawing.

It is best used in cooked dishes, sauces, smoothies, soups and fillings rather than fresh salads.

Blanching before freezing generally provides more compact portions and more predictable storage quality.

Spinach for Baby Leaf and Mature-Leaf Production

Baby-leaf and mature spinach use different plant densities and harvest systems.

Common Spinach Growing Problems

How to Protect Spinach from Pests

Spinach can be affected by caterpillars, aphids, leaf miners, slugs, snails and other foliage pests.

Management options include:

• Inspecting leaves regularly
• Using fine insect netting where appropriate
• Removing damaged leaves and visible pests
• Protecting seedlings from slugs and snails
• Maintaining adequate spacing and airflow
• Rotating crops where possible
• Using only legally registered crop-protection products according to their labels

What to Plant with Spinach

Spinach can share beds with crops that prefer similar cool-season conditions and regular moisture.

Potential neighbouring crops include:

• Lettuce and other salad greens
• Radish
• Spring onions and onions
• Carrots where adequate spacing is maintained
• Peas
• Beetroot
• Brassicas where excessive shading is avoided
• Strawberries in suitable mixed plantings

Spinach can also be harvested as an early crop before slower-growing vegetables require the full bed.

Packet and Bulk Spinach Seeds

Important Considerations for Commercial Growers

Commercial spinach production requires varieties and planting systems suited to the intended harvest stage, seasonal window and customer specification.

Frequently Asked Questions