New Zealand Spinach — Tetragonia tetragonioides
layout: base.njk title: Nz Spinach description: Growing Nz Spinach in West Virginia (Zone 6b/7a) category: warm-season
Type: Annual (perennial in frost-free climates)
Family: Aizoaceae (Ice Plant Family) — not related to true spinach
Sun: Full sun to partial shade (tolerates heat better than true spinach)
Water: Moderate (1" per week; drought-tolerant once established)
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Hardiness: Annual in Zone 6b/7a (frost-tender, heat-loving)
🌱 Expected Yield
- Per plant: 1-2 lbs of leaves (continuous harvest with regular picking)
- Per 10' row: 8-15 lbs (8-10 plants)
- Notes: New Zealand spinach is a prolific producer in hot weather, continuing when true spinach has bolted. Production is continuous with regular harvesting (pick outer leaves, allow center to grow). Plants spread 2-3 feet and can be harvested multiple times per week.
Leaves are thicker and more succulent than true spinach, with slightly higher yield per square foot in summer heat..
🏺 Heirloom Varieties
Note: New Zealand spinach has limited varietal diversity compared to major crops. Most seed companies offer essentially the same variety, selected for regional adaptation rather than distinct genetic lines. The following represent sources and slight variations available to gardeners.
'Standard' (New Zealand Spinach)
- Source: Baker Creek (rareseeds.com), Johnny's Selected Seeds (johnnyseeds.com), Southern Exposure (southernexposure.com), Park Seed, Burpee
- Days: 50-60 days
- Notes: This is the standard variety available from most seed companies. Triangular succulent leaves, 2-3" long. Spreading habit to 2-3 feet. Heat-tolerant. Continuous production in summer. Slightly salty, mild spinach flavor. Thick leaves hold up well to cooking.
'Tetragonia' (Botanical Selection)
- Source: Baker Creek, specialist seed companies
- Days: 55 days
- Notes: Selected for larger leaves. More upright habit than standard. Vigorous grower. Good for cooler coastal areas. Slightly more succulent leaves.
'Australian Spinach'
- Source: Southern Exposure, Australian seed companies
- Days: 55 days
- Notes: Australian selection. Similar to standard. May have slightly larger leaves. Adapted to hot, humid conditions. Vigorous producer.
'Cook's Spinach'
- Source: Seed Savers Exchange (seedsavers.org), heritage seed collectors
- Days: 50 days
- Notes: Early maturing selection. Smaller leaves. More compact habit. Good for small gardens. Early production.
'Giant Leaved'
- Source: Baker Creek, specialty seed companies
- Days: 60 days
- Notes: Selected for extra-large leaves (4-5" long). More upright growth. Slower to bolt. Higher yield per plant. Requires longer season.
'Dwarf'
- Source: Specialty seed companies, heritage collections
- Days: 45 days
- Notes: Compact habit (12-18" spread). Smaller leaves. Good for containers, small gardens. Early production. Less vigorous than standard.
'Wild Type' (Foraged/Coastal)
- Source: Coastal foraging, Seed Savers Exchange
- Days: 55 days
- Notes: Collected from coastal populations (California, Australia, New Zealand). More variable. Often more salt-tolerant. Smaller leaves. Adapted to local conditions. Genetic diversity.
'Jersey Kale Spinach'
- Source: Seed Savers Exchange, UK heritage seed organizations
- Days: 55 days
- Notes: UK selection. Slightly more cold-tolerant. Good for maritime climates. Moderate leaf size. Traditional variety.
'Pacific Coast'
- Source: West Coast seed companies, Seed Savers Exchange
- Days: 50 days
- Notes: Selected from California coastal populations. Heat-tolerant. Drought-resistant. Moderate leaf size. Vigorous.
'South Pacific'
- Source: Pacific Island seed companies, specialty sources
- Days: 55 days
- Notes: Polynesian introduction. Traditional Pacific Island variety. Vigorous. Heat and humidity tolerant. Cultural significance.
Variety Note: Unlike crops with hundreds of heirloom varieties, New Zealand spinach has limited named diversity. The species itself is genetically uniform across its range. Seed savers are encouraged to select their own locally-adapted lines by saving seed from plants that perform best in their specific conditions (heat tolerance, disease resistance, leaf size, flavor).
🌾 Seed Saving
Method: 1. Choose healthy, vigorous plants with desirable characteristics (large leaves, good flavor, heat tolerance) 2. Allow selected plants to flower (small yellow flowers appear in leaf axils from mid-summer onward) 3.
Flowers self-pollinate; seeds form in hard, spiny pods 4. Pods mature over 3-4 weeks, turning from green to brown/tan 5. Harvest seed pods when completely dry and brown (can harvest individual pods or whole branches) 6.
Place dried pods in paper bag; crush to release seeds 7. Separate seeds from chaff by winnowing (pour between containers outdoors; wind blows chaff away) 8. Seeds are hard, irregular, brownish; store in paper envelope or glass jar in cool, dry place.
Isolation Distance: - Self-pollinating: New Zealand spinach flowers are primarily self-pollinating - Minimum: 50-100 feet between plants grown for seed (to maintain distinct lines) - For purity: 1/4 mile (though crossing is rare due to self-pollination) - Note: Only one variety exists commercially; isolation mainly needed if saving from wild collections or distinct selections
Viability: 4-6 years under proper storage (cool, dry, dark). Seed coat is hard, providing good protection. Germination rates remain high through year 4.
Special Notes: - Save from 5-10 plants minimum to maintain genetic diversity - Select for heat tolerance (plants that continue producing in hottest weather) - Select for leaf size and flavor (taste leaves from candidate plants) - Select for bolting resistance (plants that delay flowering longest) - Seed dormancy: Fresh seed may have slight dormancy; germination improves after 6 months storage - Scarification: Lightly nicking seed coat can improve germination for old seed - Seed pods: The hard, spiny pods protect seeds well; leave pods intact until ready to process
Added to WV Planting Guide 26155 — The Loop Farmstead
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