Spinach Plant Care

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Spinacia genus. Spinach is native to Southwest Asia. Spinach is also known as Palong, Palak, Spinacia oleracea.

Spinach displays a compact, bushy growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Spinach produces inconspicuous green flowers on a spike.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Spinach every 3–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Spinach thrives in full sun.

Spinacia oleracea tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Spinach prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Spinach to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Spinach every 2 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining soil mix. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Spinach is suited to USDA Zone 5a – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Spinach can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Spinach while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Spinach is hardy down to USDA zone 5a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Spinach can be propagated through by seeds or transplanting seedlings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Spinach is susceptible to aphids, leaf miners. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Spinach grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Spinach is native to Southwest Asia.