How to grow Brazilian Spinach in Australia
Grow Brazilian spinach in full sun to part shade in warm, moist, well-drained soil, as it is a low spreading perennial that loves heat. Keep it watered for tender leaves and feed lightly now and then.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Part shade
- Water: 6 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 40 cm
- Time to harvest: 60 days
- Time to germinate: 14 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to March | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to March | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to January | Frost tender perennial grown from cuttings. Plant Oct to Jan once the soil is warm. It sulks through a Sydney winter, so give it a sheltered spot on the coast or a pot you can move in the frosty west. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Frost-sensitive tropical vine. Melbourne winter kills it. Unsuitable unless greenhouse-protected. |
| Adelaide & SA | Not suited | Mediterranean: unsuitable. Brazilian Spinach tropical perennial; needs consistent warmth. Unsuitable Adelaide/Perth. |
| Perth & WA | Not suited | Mediterranean: unsuitable. Brazilian Spinach tropical perennial; needs consistent warmth. Unsuitable Adelaide/Perth. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Tropical perennial killed by frost. Grow silverbeet instead. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Brazilian Spinach unsuitable for Canberra: tropical; frost-intolerant. Use bok choy or silverbeet for summer greens. |
| North Queensland | September to March | Wet season main window. Brazilian spinach (perpetual spinach) thrives in tropical humidity; grows year-round. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to March | Wet season main window. Brazilian spinach (perpetual spinach) thrives in tropical humidity; grows year-round. |
Varieties
- Samba Lettuce (Alternanthera sissoo)
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick the tender top leaves and stem tips once plants are bushy. Regular tip harvesting keeps it low, leafy and cropping continuously.
Storage
Fridge in a bag, up to 4 days.