New Zealand Spinach

Overview

New Zealand spinach spreads into a thick, fleshy mat. It handles heat, drought, and salt spray better than most greens, making it useful near the coast and on the dry side.

History

Native to New Zealand, Australia, and other Pacific shores; Captain Cook’s crews ate it to prevent scurvy.

Growing on Kauaʻi

• Handles sandy, salty, coastal soils.
• Grows in sun or light shade with occasional water.

Planting and propagation

• Soak seeds overnight and sow ½ inch deep, or root tip cuttings.
• Space plants 1–2 ft apart.

Care and maintenance

• Pinch tips to encourage branching.
• Water in long dry spells.

Role in the guild

Use it as a temporary or seasonal ground cover in sunny, dry beds with chaya and moringa.

Harvest

Pick tender tips and young leaves regularly.

Uses

• Food: cooked like spinach. Blanch leaves briefly and discard the water, since they contain oxalates.
• Soil: fast cover on bare, dry ground.

Problems to watch

• Self-sows; remove unwanted seedlings.
• Few pests.

General guidance for Kauaʻi; conditions vary by site. Check any new plant at plantpono.org before planting.