Spinach like plants (Water spinach)

Plant family

Morning Glory family (Convolvulaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Very humid

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Seeding distance

40 cm

Row spacing

40 cm

Seeding depth

1 cm

Instructions

The season for this plant is over. The following instructions are for the next season.

Mid of January

Propagating

End of February

Support

Mid of March

Cut back

Description

Water spinach belongs to the family of bindweed. As the name suggests, it needs a lot of moisture. In our region, the plants are annual and grow about 25 cm high. In tropical areas, water spinach is perennial. The leaves are dark green and narrow-pointed or ovate, depending on the variety. Its flowers are white with a purple center and therefore also do very well as an ornamental plant on pond edges.

Growing tips

Water spinach seeds take a long time to germinate. Therefore, grow them on your windowsill already at the end of February. Sow the seeds at a depth of about 1 cm and place the pot in a warm, sunny place. After the last frost, the plants can be planted outside. Water spinach always needs a moist, nutrient-rich soil. For a good start you can fertilize the plantlets in the first days. After about 4 - 6 weeks you can then harvest for the first time. Harvest the whole leaves with stem.