trefle.io · Taken Nov 21, 2021 by Georg Jurceka (cc-by-sa)
Amaranthaceae
Tree spinach
Chenopodium giganteum
Also known as Chenopodium hookerianum, Chenopodium bengalense, Maya spinach, Chenopodium mairei
Edibles & Herbs · Native Plants · Trees & Shrubs · Tree Spinach · Chenopodium · Edible Leaves · Leafy Green · Ornamental Foliage · Magenta · Heirloom · Vegetable · Amaranthaceae · Self-Seeding
Tree spinach is a fast-growing, low-maintenance leafy vegetable that does best in full sun to partial shade with regular watering. Its striking magenta-dusted young leaves are edible and nutritious, best harvested when tender and young. It self-seeds readily, so deadhead spent flowers if you want to control its spread in the garden.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water moderately, keeping soil evenly moist but not waterlogged; reduce frequency during cooler months · Every 7-10 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 7.5–8
- Temperature
- -20°F to 90°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 5a-10b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 18 in
- Spacing
- 24 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Algeria, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Austria, Canary Is., Cape Provinces, China North-Central, China South-Central, Cuba, East Aegean Is., East Himalaya, Egypt, France, Free State, Great Britain, Greece, India, Inner Mongolia, Iran, Italy
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Moths
Sources: trefle, usda
More Chenopodium
Related plants from the same genus
Buy this plant
No nurseries currently list it
No nursery lists Tree spinach right now.