Spiny Spinach Plant Care

Spiny Spinach (Tetragonia echinata) belongs to the Aizoaceae family within the Tetragonia genus. Spiny Spinach is also known as Prickly Spinach.

Spiny Spinach displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Spiny Spinach produces small, yellow flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Spiny Spinach every 7–10 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.

Spiny Spinach thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Tetragonia echinata tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Spiny Spinach prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Sandy, well-draining soil mix with added perlite and coarse sand. Good drainage is essential for Spiny Spinach to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Spiny Spinach every 6 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 to partial shade and sandy, well-draining soil mix with added perlite and coarse sand. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Spiny Spinach is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

Spiny Spinach can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Spiny 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.

Spiny Spinach is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Spiny Spinach can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to new zealand spinach plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Spiny Spinach is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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.

Spiny Spinach grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Spiny Spinach as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.