Spinacia oleracea aka Spinach
Taxonomy
![Spinach [Plant]](https://ploi-plant-care.s3.amazonaws.com/shrine/photo/16047/image/large_webp-96fe59b2ff3698c4adaaa680fc1330a4.webp?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAIOGNACPH7HGRS66Q%2F20250816%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20250816T144559Z&X-Amz-Expires=604800&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=f2d19e551e33da46731fffba7ea06b8c2bd3f6c33f955ec500c870f24e3d4316)
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an annual vegetable in the Amaranth family, native to central and western Asia. It can be grown at home in containers or beds and tolerates areas too shady for most other vegetables to thrive. Growing best in moist, rich, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade, Spinach is sensitive to the increasing day length and heat that comes with summer. Its smooth dark green leaves offer plenty of vitamins and are used in most world cuisines. It may be eaten cooked or raw, and the taste differs considerably; the high oxalate content may be reduced by steaming. In 2018, world production of spinach was 26.3 million tonnes, with China alone accounting for 90% of the total. Spinach is a go-to green for all sorts of dishes: from juicy green salads to crispy fried. It is also a fast-growing plant that will help you become a green thumb.
Common names
Spinach, Spinash, Spinach [Plant]How to care for Spinach
Difficulty
With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Spinach, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.
Water
Spinach should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Spinach loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Spinach prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the wintertime, it is common for Spinach plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
Spinach is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.
Growth-pattern
New growth will sprout from the top of the Spinach as it grows vertically.
Region of origin
Spinach’s native range is The origin of this plant is uncertain, it probably arose in S.W. Asia.
More info:
Wikipedia
