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 to plant: 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 planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing it 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.

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

Common pests: keep an eye out for caterpillars and aphids. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

Common diseases: the main one is leaf spot, usually from damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow and morning watering prevent most.

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

Harvest and storage: 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 planting 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.