I know those funny jokes about spinach . You roll in the hay , the ones where people poke fun at the way you’re able to put an entire bag of prickly-seeded spinach in a pan to saute , but you ’ll only have a teaspoonful of the green once it ’s done cooking ?
Okay , that ’s a thin magnification – but we all bonk Spinacia oleracea loves to shrink , which intend you take a destiny of it if you desire to suffice it to more than a few people , or if you want to eat it on a regular basis .
And why would n’t you ? Spinach ( Spinacia oleracea ) is a good rootage of manganese , folate , and Vitamin C , and it ’s an fantabulous source of Vitamin K and Vitamin A.
Photo by Meghan Yager.
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Here ’s my favourite solution to the age - old trouble of shrinking spinach : grow it at dwelling house ! You ’ll have it on hand throughout the growing season , and if you grow several plant you wo n’t run out quickly , contract or not .
In ourguide to growing spinach , we wrap up how to cultivate this leafy green in your garden .
Photo by Meghan Yager.
But what if you do n’t have space to grow it in your garden ? Can you grow it in containers alternatively ?
Absolutely ! By growing it in pots , you could enjoy homegrown spinach fresh or sauteed , even if you be in an flat or a metropolis home with a little cubic yard .
In this usher , we ’ll cover everything you demand to know about growing spinach in locoweed .
What You’ll Learn
A Bit About spinach plant
Choosing the Right Container
fix the Pot
How to maturate
Cultivars to Select
Pests and Disease
Harvesting and Preserving
Recipes and Cooking Ideas
This alimental green is a member of theamaranth family , Amaranthaceae , along with quinoa , globe amaranth , andlove lies run – I think it ’s reasonably amazing that humble - look spinach is related to this sensational cosmetic plant !
Other garden favorites likebeetsandSwiss chardare also part of the same botanic family .
S. oleraceais an annual that grows in a little potato pattern and sends up a central flower stem if exposed to temperatures above 75 ° degree Fahrenheit .
The plant life is befit toUSDA Hardiness Zones2 through 9 , and the idealistic temperature range for turn this cool - conditions harvest is between 50 and 70 ° atomic number 9 .
Some varieties have been bred to withstand high temperatures , though , and we ’ll share one of them with you below .
The leaves are flat and unruffled for some varieties , and on others , they are heavily crinkled , a equipment characteristic that ’s referred to as “ savoyed . ” If the folio is only partially crumple , it ’s call semi - savoy spinach .
Most cultivars acquire six to 12 inches tall , with a similar width , and take around 40 to 50 day to mature . spinach plant does well in full or fond sun and prefer plenteous , well - drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 .
Young , ship’s boat leaves can be harvest as babe spinach plant for salad and sandwich , and mature greens can be saute , steamed , or added to soup and stews .
Spinach has a deep taproot , so you ’ll need a container that ’s at least eight to 10 column inch wide and rich , with drain holes in the bottom , for each works .
This cream - colour ceramic containerfrom the Home Depotis 10 inches deep and across-the-board , making it an idealistic good deal for your super C , which will counterpoint nicely against the ivory color .
Ivory Rivage Ceramic Planter
I love that this plantation owner is ideal for indoor or outdoor growing , and that it come with a drain dish confiscate .
you may also choose to use a plastic , vinyl group , or wood container – whatevermaterial suit your style .
Consider how often you ’ll want to move the planter , too . WIll it last out in one seat all the time , or will you want to bring it indoors or move it to other areas of your thousand ? A vinyl container is a lot easier to move than a ceramic one , for exercise .
Just check that that the pot you take has drainage holes in the bottom .
Another factor to call back about is whether or not you have kids or pets play amuck . If you do , you may need to pick out a heavy plantation owner that wo n’t topple over easy .
Spinach is easy to propagate from cum , but you could also choose to buy nursery starts instead if desired .
The ideal daytime temperature for growing prickly-seeded spinach is 50 to 70 ° fluorine , so it ’s well suited to acquire in the spring or dusk .
temperature over 75 ° farad will do the plant to absquatulate , and the leaves to become bitter and tough . Plants can survive a abstemious frost , but a backbreaking halt will kill them .
Checkyour seed packetfor the look number of days to maturity for your chosen mixed bag , and calculate backwards – you want to be indisputable that the plant has prison term to mature before the heating system of summer sets in for leap plantings , or before first icing for declination plantings .
In warmer mood , such as Zones 6 through 9 , check that you plant too soon enough that the temperatures are n’t at risk of creep over 75 ° farad during this clip .
Gardeners in Zones 2 to 5 can start seeds indoors ( more on that below ) two to four week before the average last frost date , or sow in outside in your containers two weeks after last frost .
Before you begin , you ’ll need toselect a potting mixture . you may employ a portmanteau of one part topsoil purchase from a horticulture computer memory , one part well - rot manure orcompost , and one partpeat moss .
or else , use a potting mix such as Nature ’s Care Organic Potting Mix , available at Home Depot .
Nature ’s Care Organic Potting Mix
Whatever you employ , the soil should be lax , rich , and well - draining .
When your planter is filled to about two in from the rim with your want growing medium , it ’s time to tot up the plant or seeds .
Each eight to 10 - in container can hold one plant , so make one half - inch divot in the center of the planter and drop two seed inside . I always sow two seeds in each hole in instance one fails to burgeon forth .
If you are using a larger container , space the plant four inches apart if you wish to reap baby green , or six inches apart for matured leaves .
Keep the dirt moist until germination occurs , which should take about seven to 10 twenty-four hours . I care to habituate a atomiser bottle so that I do n’t dislodge the cum .
reduce your seedlings when they are four to six column inch tall .
Alternatively , you may start seed indoors in flat filled with seed - start mix about two to four week before your expanse ’s modal last Robert Frost date .
Make a half - in divot in each cell and drop two seeds at heart . Keep the soil moist until germination , and then move the trays to a windowsill that receives at least six to eight hours of sun .
Or , you may need to put themunder grow lightsfor 10 to 12 hours a day .
When the plants have two to three sets of true leaves and are about four to six column inch tall , slim down the weaker one out of each source cell .
Next , indurate off your untried Spinacia oleracea plants by setting them outdoors for increase sum of money of time every 24-hour interval over the course of a calendar week .
After that , they ’ll be ready to transfer into the waiting containers outdoors .
To transplant your seedlings or nursery start , make a hole that ’s as deep and wide as the rootage lump .
Carefully take away the plant from its nursery container and set it in the waiting hole . Backfill with ground and irrigate deeply until water break away out of the drainage kettle of fish .
Spinach enjoys a full sun localization in coolheaded region , but in warmer clime it will benefit from part shade – such as on a covered porch or deck .
you’re able to point the quite a little next tothe other veggiesin your container garden , but be sure to leave infinite between the container so that each flora has adequate flow of air .
Spinach involve at least one deep watering every week in the absence seizure of rain but believably more , peculiarly since the soil in container tends to dry out more quickly than the earth does . water your plants until water comes out the bottom of the container .
Every three or four 24-hour interval , check the grunge with your finger . If it finger ironic two in down , it ’s time for another cryptic watering .
But ward off overwatering ! verify to countenance the potting mixing to dry out out a bit between watering – this will aid to keep fungal pathogen at bay . Also , do your effective to water at the base of operations of the plant to help keep the leave of absence dry .
Add a three - column inch layer oforganic mulchto the container to aid moisture retentiveness , and to help the soil temperature remain even . This will also mortify any weeds that may start up .
Spinach call for a steady diet of nitrogen in club to produce those graphic leave . It also benefit from the phosphorus and K found in a balanced 10 - 10 - 10 ( NPK ) fertilizer .
give coarse-grained fertilizer every two to three weeks by work the recommend amount as outline on the computer software into the top in of soil wall the plant .
If you live in a lovesome growing zone , keep an heart on the warmth outside . Once temperature in your area sneak up toward 75 ° farad or higher , your spinach is at risk of bolt out .
you’re able to bring your plant inside , or move the container into a tank , shadier region of your yard : under a shady Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , for example , or against your house but in an region that does n’t get as much sun . instead , apply some shade fabric to shelter the plant from the sun during the warm parts of the day .
Cold - weather raiser can stretch out the growing time of year a little bit by impart pots indoors once the local temperature drop to 35 ° degree Fahrenheit . set the container in a sunny windowsill , orin a cold frameorgreenhouse .
Here are a few of our favorite cultivars for you to relish originate in container :
America
If you ’re search for a heating plant - tolerant miscellany that will arise gayly in containers even when temperature arise above 75 ° fluorine , try growing ‘ America . ’
beseem to Zones 3 through 11 , this heirloom rise up to eight inch tall and four inches widely , making it the stark size for container growing .
‘ America ’
Also prognosticate ‘ American ’ and ‘ American Long Standing , ’ this bolt - resistant super C is a 1952 hybridization between ‘ Bloomsdale Dark Green ’ and ‘ Viking . ’
Packets of these seeds , which ripen in just 43 to 55 days , areavailable from reliable Leaf Market .
Double Choice
Some multitude like tender baby spinach . Others like it full grown . Whichever camp you fall into – maybe a spot of both ? – ‘ Double Choice ’ apply you pick , as the name suggests .
The plant grow 10 to 12 inch high , but you’re able to glean infant leaves when they ’re just four to six inch tall . Or , wait the full 35 to 40 sidereal day for full - grown foliage .
If you ’re uprise spinach in containers in a stale produce geographical zone , you ’ll apprise how quickly ‘ twofold Choice ’ farm !
‘ Double Choice ’
‘ Double Choice ’ spreads four to six inches , and the semi - savoy leaves are perfect for salads . This hybrid boom in Zones 3 through 9 . Find packet of 350 seedsavailable from Burpee .
Viroflay
Do you woolgather of tremendous leaves that make perfect pizza toppingsandlook astonishing grow in a container ? Then you ’ll love ‘ Viroflay , ’ a Gallic heirloom dating back to the mid-1800s .
The giant , arrowhead - shaped , semi - savoy farewell can produce up to 10 column inch long!you may see why this variety bears the nickname “ Monster of Viroflay . ” It ’s grievous spinach , indeed .
‘ Viroflay ’
‘ Viroflay ’ matures in 30 to 60 years and grows 18 to 24 inches magniloquent .
Suited to geographical zone 3 through 10 , you could find packet of seedsavailable from Eden Brothers .
ask More Options ?
Then take a look at our pathfinder , “ 37 of the good Spinach Cultivars to Grow in Your Garden . ”
There ’s a lot to love about prickly-seeded spinach , including its general underground to gadfly and disease .
Even substantially , if you ’re growing your greens in a container , it ’s not extend to be brushing its leaves with those of other plant , so there ’s even less of a chance that it ’ll be plagued by any complaint .
That said , there are a few potential issues to watch out for .
If the plant is leave alone in standing water , or the top two column inch of soil are n’t allowed to dry out completely between waterings , it can develop fungous infections .
If you see chickenhearted spots on the foliage that spring up into larger , tan spots that are dry to the touch , you may be deal with downy mould .
White rust , a disease that prefers cool , humid conditions , can present as sensationalistic spot on the upper leaves and white pustules on the underside .
you could remove the affected farewell and throw out of them in the garbage can . If the contagion is stern , you may need to discard the plant and soil , then start again with wise potting soil .
Before you impart starts home from the nursery , check for aphids . These small , soft - bodied insects love to munch on spinach !
In humble numbers , they are n’t much of a problem , although you ’ll want to prune away infested leave-taking and spray neem oil on the plant to keep the universe from increasing in sizing .
Bonide Neem Oil
I like to make a atomizer with this neem oil concentrate from Bonide , which you canpurchase from Arbico Organics .
Too many aphid can suck so much juice out of your spinach that the leave of absence curl up and die . You do n’t require that !
Learn to sell with aphids in our guide .
The prickly-seeded spinach crown mite ( Tyrophagus similis ) can also negatively pretend your industrial plant by chewing tiny holes in the leaves and causing deformities .
The tinge are difficult – if not unsufferable – to see , but the tiny holes are a giveaway that you ’re dealing with an plague .
Neem oil is your friend here , too , and can facilitate egest mite population in your spinach plant . you could use neem oil up to the 24-hour interval before harvest time , but be sure to lave the leaf thoroughly before you corrode them .
Even if you ’re not grow ‘ Double Choice , ’ you could harvest your spinach at its “ baby ” stage , or when it ’s between three and five inches tall .
Or , wait until it progress to its full , mature size – usually when the flora is between eight and 12 inches tall , depending on the cultivar .
It ’s wide-eyed to harvest : just pinch the leaf off where the stem meets the base of the leaf , or a little bit further down the stem .
you’re able to take up to half the leaves at a time on a undivided plant using this method acting , coming back in a week or two to reap more of the aged , bigger leaves .
If you ’d rather glean the entire mature plant at once , get your shrewd kitchen scissors ready . Gather several leaves in one hired man to help you see where you ’re cutting and use the other to cut just above the soil line .
You ’ll want to stack away your invigorated spinach unwashed in a cipher - top bag until you ’re quick to eat on it – which you should do in about five to seven days after the harvest engagement .
To freeze the leaf for usance in charmer and soup later on , just wash them and pop them into a gallon - sized freezer bag with a locking or zipping top . Enjoy within six month for the good feel !
For more tips onharvesting prickly-seeded spinach and how to store it , read our guide .
One of my favorite ways to practice homegrown spinach is to sneak about one or two cups of fresh leaves , or a cupful of frozen leaf , into a berry smoothie .
Try this recipefrom our sister site , Foodal . My five - class - old loves these smoothies , and while he ’s not large on spinach , he does n’t even savor it when I slide it into a blended potable !
I love this savoury spinach cake formula , also from Foodal . Soft and moist , it ’s also made with raisin , feta , and walnuts for a satisfying grain and phenomenal flavor .
you’re able to always toss Spinacia oleracea into a salad , commingle it into your favourite lasagna recipe , use it for pesto , and more .
It’s Popeye’s Favorite, and It Can Be Yours, Too
Spinach is well-off togrow in containers , so there ’s no reason for you to miss out on tasty , nutritious homegrown greens , even if you live in a home with a belittled or nonexistent yard .
And in the lag , check out these guide to growing and harvestingleafy greens vegetablesnext :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . earlier issue September 11th , 2021 . Last updated May 1st , 2025 . Product photos via Arbico Organics , Burpee , Eden Brothers , and True Leaf Market . Uncredited picture : Shutterstock . With additional piece of writing and editing by Clare Groom and Allison Sidhu .
About
Laura Ojeda Melchor
