New Zealand Spinach
Tetragonia tetragonioides
Also listed as Tetragonia expansa, Tetragonia halimifolia
Also known as Warrigal Greens, Native Spinach, Kōkihi
Climate Match for your location
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A sprawling warm-season groundcover and leafy green crop with thick, fleshy, arrow-shaped leaves; edible leaves taste similar to spinach and are harvestable throughout summer and fall in warm climates.
Why grow it
New Zealand spinach offers an alternative leafy green for warm-season gardens where cool-season spinach (Spinacia oleracea) bolts or struggles. Its succulent, heat-tolerant habit makes it productive through summer months when true spinach typically declines, though the texture and flavor are milder and less concentrated than traditional spinach. The sprawling form also makes it useful as a living mulch or groundcover in permaculture systems while still providing edible harvests.
Watch out for
Plants require consistent moisture and prefer well-draining soil; they may languish in poorly drained beds even in warm weather. Seed germination can be slow and uneven without scarification or soaking, so early indoor starting is often more reliable than direct sowing. The succulent leaves are tender and don't store or transport well compared to true spinach, making this crop best suited to gardens with nearby kitchen access.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aizoaceae
Native Range
New Zealand
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A sprawling warm-season groundcover and leafy green crop with thick, fleshy, arrow-shaped leaves; edible leaves taste similar to spinach and are harvestable throughout summer and fall in warm climates.
Climate Match for your location
See how well New Zealand Spinach grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
New Zealand spinach offers an alternative leafy green for warm-season gardens where cool-season spinach (Spinacia oleracea) bolts or struggles. Its succulent, heat-tolerant habit makes it productive through summer months when true spinach typically declines, though the texture and flavor are milder and less concentrated than traditional spinach. The sprawling form also makes it useful as a living mulch or groundcover in permaculture systems while still providing edible harvests.
Watch out for
Plants require consistent moisture and prefer well-draining soil; they may languish in poorly drained beds even in warm weather. Seed germination can be slow and uneven without scarification or soaking, so early indoor starting is often more reliable than direct sowing. The succulent leaves are tender and don't store or transport well compared to true spinach, making this crop best suited to gardens with nearby kitchen access.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aizoaceae
Native Range
New Zealand
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar ground covers you might consider:
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