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Tetragonia implexicoma

bower spinach

Aizoaceae Southern Australia and New Zealand

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Tetragonia implexicoma, bower spinach, is an evergreen, semi-succulent scrambling plant that trails along the ground and climbs over shrubs to 2-3 m (6.5-10 ft) using its tangled, fleshy stems. The leaves are thick and somewhat fleshy, diamond to oval in shape, 1-4 cm (0.4-1.6 in) long, and glossy green. Small yellow flowers without true petals open in the leaf axils, the colour coming from the sepals and stamens. These are followed by fleshy red to purple berries 5-8 mm wide that are taken by birds. It grows on coastal dunes, cliffs, rocky shores, and in scrub across southern Australia and New Zealand, tolerating salt spray, sandy soils, and drought. The plant can smother low shrubs as it scrambles, forming dense mounds 2-4 m (6.5-13 ft) across. The young leaves are edible and have been used like spinach. Growth slows in deep shade and on poorly drained ground.

Native Range

Native to southern Australia and New Zealand, growing on coastal dunes, cliffs, rocky shores, and in coastal scrub. It is widespread along southern and western Australian coasts.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a salt-tolerant groundcover and scrambler for coastal banks, dunes, and dry slopes. Used for erosion control and quick cover in exposed seaside gardens. Suited to native, coastal, and low-water plantings with room to spread.

How to Identify

Recognised by trailing and climbing fleshy stems and thick, glossy, diamond-shaped leaves 1-4 cm (0.4-1.6 in) long. Small yellow petal-less flowers sit in the leaf axils, followed by fleshy red to purple berries. The scrambling succulent habit and coastal setting separate it from true spinaches and from Carpobrotus spp. groundcovers, which have larger, triangular leaves.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 9'10"

Width/Spread6'7" - 13'1"

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Winter Spring Summer

Small yellow flowers open over a long period, mainly from late winter through spring and into summer. The petal-less flowers are held singly or in small groups in the leaf axils. Red to purple berries follow and ripen to attract birds.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

glossy green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.5(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade on sandy, free-draining coastal soils. Established plants tolerate salt spray, sandy and limey soils, and extended drought with little or no extra water. Growth is most vigorous in open sun and slows in shade and on wet ground. It scrambles strongly and can smother nearby low plants, so room to spread or regular trimming keeps it in bounds. Light frost is tolerated in coastal districts. No feeding is needed in open ground.

Pruning

Trimming long scrambling stems at any time controls spread and keeps the plant tidy. Cutting hard into old growth is tolerated, and the plant reshoots from the base. Removing stems that climb into shrubs prevents smothering.

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic