New Zealand Spinach

(Tetragonia tetragonioides)

New Zealand spinach is a resilient, leafy green also known as Warrigal Greens that grows in a low, sprawling habit, with thick, triangular, bright green leaves that resemble water droplets on their surface. It is a tough plant that tolerates heat, poor or sandy soils, and some salinity, making it a good alternative to regular spinach in hot weather and coastal regions. The plant produces small yellow flowers and distinctive four-horned seed pods, and its leaves are edible after cooking to remove oxalates. A spinach suitable for the home gardener. Fast growing plants enable constant cutting of abundant greens. Flavour is naturally salty and delicious, highly nutritious. Sow: Prepare beds with compost and organic fertiliser. Sow seeds 5 mm deep, 20 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart, mid November until January.