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Tetragonia tetragonoides

New Zealand Spinach

Aizoaceae Coastal New Zealand and Australia

Overview

Tetragonia tetragonoides is a sprawling, mat-forming leaf vegetable grown as an annual, with trailing stems reaching 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) high and spreading 3-6 feet (1-1.8 m) across. The thick, somewhat fleshy leaves are triangular to diamond-shaped, 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, bright green, and covered in tiny glistening surface cells. Small yellow-green flowers without petals form in the leaf axils, followed by hard, horned woody fruit 0.3-0.4 inch (8-10 mm) wide. Growth is fast in warm weather, with leaves ready to harvest 50-60 days from sowing. Plants tolerate heat, salt spray, and sandy coastal soils where many leafy greens fail. The leaves contain oxalates and are eaten after blanching or cooking rather than raw in quantity. The plant self-seeds and can persist in mild climates, spreading across open ground. Frost kills the soft top growth.

Native Range

Native to coastal New Zealand, eastern and southern Australia, and parts of East Asia and South America. Grows on sand dunes, estuary margins, and disturbed coastal ground in salty, well-drained soils.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a warm-season leaf vegetable in kitchen gardens and coastal plots, spaced 18 inches (45 cm) apart. Used as a heat-tolerant substitute for spinach and as a sprawling groundcover under taller crops. The vigorous spread and free self-seeding can crowd smaller plants.

How to Identify

Identified by thick triangular to diamond-shaped bright green leaves 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long on trailing fleshy stems, with tiny glistening cells on the leaf surface. Small petalless yellow-green flowers sit in the leaf axils and give way to hard, horned woody fruit. The mat-forming coastal habit and fleshy leaves separate it from true spinach, Spinacia oleracea.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

green

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Small yellow-green flowers appear through the warmer months (late spring to autumn, November to April in its native range). The flowers are inconspicuous and petalless, set in the leaf axils. Flowering and fruiting continue while growth is active in warm conditions.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

bright green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 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 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun in most well-drained soils, including sandy and saline coastal soils. Water regularly for tender leaf growth; plants tolerate dry spells but become tougher and more bitter when stressed. Grows fast in warm weather and slows or stops below about 50F (10C). Harvest young shoot tips and leaves regularly to encourage fresh growth. Few pests trouble it, though leaf miners and aphids occur. Self-seeds freely and can spread beyond the bed in mild climates.

Pruning

Pinch out shoot tips regularly during growth to harvest leaves and promote branching and fresh growth. Removing flowering shoots delays seeding and extends leaf production. No other pruning is needed.