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Annual Biennial

Spinacia oleracea

spinach

Spinach is a leafy green annual herb approximately 30cm tall, producing generous harvests of deep-green, crinkled, oval to triangular leaves with a beautiful rich, savoury flavour. The leaves vary in size and flavour, and can be eaten raw or cooked. If left to flower, the yellow-green flowers are inconspicuous and around 3mm

Other common names

common garden spinach
winter spinach

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Amaranthaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Spinacia are annual or biennial herbaceous plants, usually dioecious, with upright stems and smooth leaves that are ovate or triangular. Edible species are cultivated for their leaves (spinach)
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Central and Western Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Does best on fertile soil rich in organic matter with a steady moisture supply. Winter crops need a sunny position, summer crops benefit from a little shade. Sow from February (under biodegradable fleece or cloches) to the end of May. See spinach cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to damage by slugs and pigeons

Diseases

May be susceptible to spinach downy mildew

Get involved

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