1/10

Spinach

4.5 out of 5 (4 experiences)

Survivor

Fast grower

About Spinach

Spinach is an annual vegetable in the Amaranth family. It can be grown at home in containers or beds and tolerates areas too shady for most other vegetables to thrive. Spinach grows best in moist, rich, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. It is sensitive to the increasing day length and heat that comes with summer.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Spinacia oleracea

Genus

Spinacia

Family

Amaranthaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

How to care for Spinach

💦 Water

How often to water your Spinach

Spinach needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Spinach in your home

Spinach love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Spinach does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Spinach in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Spinach

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Spinach: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Spinach after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Kitchen Gardens Do any of you have a kitchen garden? I would love to see pics, and see how you’re tackling things. When the summer outdoor garden comes to an end, I’m always a little sad. Nothing beats homegrown food! I have decided to plant some fresh veggies, seasonings and herbs in my kitchen. I cleared off a shelf on a side table to make room for it. I found these rectangle planters for a steal on Amazon and found some saffron bulbs through #HirtsGarden I planted them because I heard they don’t store well, yet I didn’t expect them to bloom because I got them so late! Once they run their course, I will store them. I am planting my herbs today. I have my spinach and lettuce popping up. Things are looking great! #itrunsinthefamily #KitchenGarden #Spinach #CrimsonRomaine #OakleafLettuce #KitchenHerbGarden #Blooming #SaffronCrocus #Lettuce

Browse #Spinach

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Spinach is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Spinach →

Benefits of Growing Spinach →

Common Spinach Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Spinach →

Outdoor Care Guide for Spinach →

💦 Water Needs

Spinach prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Spinach Water Frequency →

Spinach Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Spinach requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Spinach Light Requirements →

Spinach Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Spinach is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 Soil

Spinach does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Spinach →

Best Pots for Spinach →

When and How to Successfully Repot Spinach →

What Are Healthy Spinach Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Spinach is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize Spinach →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Spinach grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Spinach Lifecycle →

Spinach Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Spinach →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Spinach can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 2a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Spinach Temperature Tolerance →

Spinach Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Spinach →

When to Plant Spinach →

How to Plant Spinach →

Where to Plant Spinach →

Winter Care for Spinach →

Best Companion Plants for Spinach →

Is Spinach a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Spinach can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Spinach →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Spinach, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.