How to grow Warrigal Greens in Australia
Warrigal greens (Tetragonia tetragonioides), also called New Zealand spinach, are a hardy native leafy green that grows wild on beaches and coastal dunes. The sprawling, succulent-leaved plant takes heat, salt and dry spells that defeat true spinach, giving a summer supply of greens. The leaves must be blanched before eating to remove oxalates.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Warrigal Greens in Australia
At a glance
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 | September to March | Hardy Australian coastal native (grows wild on NSW beaches), reliable across Sydney. Sow Sep to Mar; blanch leaves before eating. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Frost sensitive. Sow from October to December. Plants die in the Melbourne winter, so grow it as a summer crop. |
| Adelaide & SA | September to December | Sow Sep to Dec; soak the seed first. A local coastal native that takes heat and salt, and self sows once established. |
| Perth & WA | September to December | Sow Sep to Dec; soak the seed first. A local coastal native that takes heat and salt, and self sows once established. |
| Tasmania | October and November | Sow Oct to Nov after frost. Strictly a summer green here, as autumn frost ends it. |
| Canberra & ACT | October and November | Grow as a summer annual. Sow Oct to Nov after frost; thrives in heat and is killed by the first autumn frost. |
| North Queensland | September to March | Wet season. Warrigal greens (Australian native) thrive in tropical heat and humidity year-round. |
| Darwin & Top End | April to August | Dry season Apr to Aug. Prefers the cooler dry months over wet season heat. |
Not to be confused with: Spinach (English spinach), which is a different plant that bolts in heat. Warrigal greens are cooked and used the same way but grow through summer.
Where to plant
Warrigal greens grow naturally along much of the Australian coast and in New Zealand. In the garden they grow in full sun or part shade, in sandy to clay soils that are moist but free draining, and they tolerate salty, coastal conditions. They spread as a sprawling groundcover to about 1.5 m across.
The shallow roots need regular moisture for tender leaves, though established plants survive dry spells. Plants are killed by frost.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, Sydney and North Queensland: sow from September to March.
- Adelaide and Perth: sow from September to December; it takes heat and salt and self-sows once established.
- Melbourne: sow from October to December and grow it as a summer crop, as winter kills it.
- Hobart and Canberra: sow in October and November after frost; the first autumn frost ends it.
- Darwin: sow in the dry season, from April to August.
How to plant
- Soak the large, hard seeds in warm water overnight before sowing.
- Sow about 1 cm deep, directly or in pots, once the soil has warmed.
- Keep the soil moist. Germination is slow and uneven, taking about two weeks or more.
- Thin or plant out to about 60 cm apart to allow for spread.
- Or start from cuttings: pieces of trailing stem root easily in moist soil.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly for lush, tender leaves; plants under drought stress get tough and bitter. Established plants cope with dry periods, but steady moisture gives the best crop.
Warrigal greens need little feeding. Compost at planting and an occasional liquid feed keep them productive.
Pruning and care through the year
- Pinch the growing tips often to keep the plant bushy and producing fresh shoots.
- It self-seeds and its trailing stems root as they go, so it can take over a bed. Pull out unwanted seedlings and trim it back as needed.
- Check for slugs, snails and caterpillars on young plants.
Harvesting
Start picking the soft, leafy tips, about 5 to 10 cm long, once the plant is sprawling well, from about eight to ten weeks after sowing. Regular picking keeps new shoots coming.
Leaves keep up to about four days in a bag in the fridge.
Growing in pots
Warrigal greens grow well in a pot at least 25 cm wide, where their spread is contained. Let the stems trail over the edge and water regularly.
Using it
Always blanch warrigal greens before eating. The leaves are high in oxalates: drop them into boiling water for one to two minutes, then discard the water. After blanching, use them like spinach in pies, quiches, pasta, stir-fries, soups and curries. Do not eat them raw.
Propagation
Collect the hard, horned seed pods as they dry on the plant and store them for next season, or let them self-sow. Stem cuttings root easily in moist soil at any time in the warm season.
Companion planting
Warrigal greens suit a coastal or native edible garden, or a spare sunny bed where they can spread as a living groundcover.
Good companions
- Native plants Local coastal natives suit the same sandy, salty, sunny conditions.
Pests and diseases
Warrigal greens are generally hardy and trouble free.
Pests to watch for
- Slugs Chewed seedlings and young leaves after rain.
- Snails Ragged holes in leaves.
- Caterpillars Chewed leaves and shoot tips in warm weather.
Warrigal Greens is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
Do you have to cook warrigal greens?
Yes. The leaves are high in oxalates, so blanch them in boiling water for one to two minutes and throw the water away before using them. Do not eat them raw.
When do I plant warrigal greens?
In spring and summer, once the soil is warm: September to March in Queensland, the Northern Rivers and Sydney, September to December in Adelaide and Perth, and October to December in Melbourne. In Darwin, sow in the dry season. Pick your region at the top of the page.
How do I grow warrigal greens from seed?
Soak the hard seeds in warm water overnight, then sow them about 1 cm deep in warm, moist soil. Germination is slow, about two weeks or more. Cuttings also root easily.
Is warrigal greens the same as New Zealand spinach?
Yes. Warrigal greens, New Zealand spinach and Tetragonia tetragonioides are the same plant, native to both Australia and New Zealand. It is not related to true spinach.
Does warrigal greens spread?
Yes. It sprawls to about 1.5 m, its stems root as they go and it self-seeds, so it can become weedy in a vegie bed. Grow it where it can spread, or in a pot.
Can warrigal greens grow by the beach?
Yes. It grows wild on coastal dunes and tolerates sandy, salty soils and salt spray, making it one of the best greens for coastal gardens.
Sources we checked: Sustainable Gardening Australia: Warrigal greens; Wikipedia: Tetragonia tetragonioides.