How to grow warrigal greens in a raised bed

Warrigal greens (native or New Zealand spinach) are a tough, sprawling Australian bush food that shrugs off heat and gives you spinach-like leaves all summer, when true spinach won't grow. A hardy, low-fuss raised-bed crop.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun to part shade; heat-hardy
• Spacing: one plant per 50–60 cm; it sprawls
• Tub depth: our 23 cm+ depth
• Time to harvest: 8–10 weeks

When should I plant warrigal greens?

Warrigal greens love the warmth — sow or plant from spring through summer. In frost-free areas they can grow much of the year. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): August to April
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): September to March
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): October to December
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): March to August
• Arid inland: March to April and August to October

How do I grow warrigal greens in a raised bed?

Plant into any reasonable mix and let them ramble — one plant covers a good patch. Very forgiving and drought-hardy once away. Note: blanch the leaves briefly before eating to remove the oxalates.

How often should I water and feed warrigal greens?

Water regularly for lush growth, but they tolerate dry spells better than most greens.

What pests attack warrigal greens?

Keep an eye out for caterpillars and aphids. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

What diseases affect warrigal greens?

The main one is leaf spot, usually from damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow and morning watering prevent most.

What grows well with warrigal greens?

A brilliant native ground-cover green; give it room to sprawl among taller crops. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest warrigal greens?

Pick the tender tips and young leaves regularly, which keeps fresh growth coming. Blanch for a minute before use.

More growing guides: amaranth, Malabar spinach and spinach.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Andrés González, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.