How to Grow Brazilian Spinach in Australia
A warm-season leafy crop for the home garden
Growing Brazilian Spinach at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$2-4/week, perennial in SEQ, produces year-round without reseeding.
This guide covers when to plant Brazilian Spinach in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Brazilian Spinach is a warm-season crop, frost-tender and needs a frost-free run. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October, November, December, January, February and March. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Samba Lettuce (Alternanthera sissoo)
The standard SEQ Brazilian spinach, crinkly dark green leaves, mild flavour. Propagated from cuttings at Bunnings or swaps.
Try: Bunnings (seasonal), local permaculture swaps, Green Harvest
Position and Soil
Give Brazilian Spinach part sun to light shade. It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 25cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed on the surface, barely covered. Thin or space plants to about 40 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 14 days, fastest when the soil is between 20 and 30 degrees.
Perennial subtropical spinach substitute. Plant it once and pick leaves for years. Bulletproof through SEQ summer when nothing else leafy works.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 6 L per plant every 3 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Snails. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Brazilian Spinach is typically ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months). Fridge in a bag, up to 4 days.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, brazilian spinach is good sautéed with garlic as a silverbeet substitute, added to soups and stews, used raw in small amounts in salads and cooked into frittatas and quiches. Nutritionally: good source of vitamins and minerals and thrives in heat when cool-season greens bolt.
Track Your Brazilian Spinach Growing
Add brazilian spinach to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Brazilian Spinach in Australia?
Brazilian Spinach is a warm-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October, November, December, January, February and March. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Brazilian Spinach take to grow?
Brazilian Spinach is generally ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months).
Can I grow Brazilian Spinach in a pot?
Yes. Brazilian Spinach grows well in a container of 25cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Brazilian Spinach need?
Give it part sun to light shade for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Brazilian Spinach in the Plant Library
