Also known as Spinach · 119 saves
Spinacia
Spinacia, the genus most gardeners know as spinach. We track 3 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 2 most-saved Spinacia varieties
Browse all 3 Spinacia varieties →
Species of Spinacia
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Spinacia in Sow
Save the Spinacia you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Spinacia
Whats common across all Spinacia varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them.
The Spinacia year
- HarvestApril, May, June, October and November100% of varieties
Pick outer leaves as needed; they keep only a few days once cut.
- PlantMarch, April and September67% of varieties
Sow seeds directly in early spring (4-6 weeks before last frost) and late summer
- FertilizeApril, May and October67% of varieties
Apply high-nitrogen fertilizer after thinning and mid-season
- Check for PestsApril, May and October67% of varieties
Watch for leaf miners (tunnels) and aphids on the undersides of leaves
Do
- Sow direct into cool soil 🌱
- Sow in late summer for a long crop 🍂
- Keep the soil evenly moist 💧
- Pick the outer leaves 🥬
- Keep soil consistently moist 🌱
Avoid
- Transplant seedlings ❌
- Let the soil dry out ❌
- Sow into hot summer ground ❌
- Avoid letting soil dry out completely ❌
What goes wrong with Spinacia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves, distorted growth | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Leaf miner | Pale winding tunnels and blotches inside the leaf blades, making them inedible | Remove affected leaves and use fine mesh over the crop; the flies lay directly on the foliage |
| Slugs | Ragged holes eaten through the low leaves, worst in damp autumn weather | Protect seedlings and keep the bed clear of debris where slugs shelter |
| Flea Beetles | Small holes on leaves, stunted growth | Use row covers and apply organic insecticides |
| Downy mildew | Pale yellow patches on the upper leaf with grey-purple mould beneath, spreading in cool damp weather | Space plants for airflow, avoid overhead watering and choose resistant varieties |
| Downy Mildew | Yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces, fuzzy gray mold underneath | Improve air circulation and apply copper-based fungicide |
| Leaf Spot | Dark spots on leaves with yellow halos | Remove affected leaves and avoid overhead watering |
Making more Spinacia
Seed
- Sow half an inch deep into cool moist soil.
- Thin to three or four inches apart.
- Sow again every two or three weeks for succession.
Seeds
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring, ¼ inch deep.
- Maintain soil moisture and weed regularly.
- Thin seedlings to 3 inches apart after germination.
- Harvest leaves when young, approximately 6-8 weeks later.
Spinacia questions
How many types of Spinacia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Spinacia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 119 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Spinacia grow in?
Across its varieties, Spinacia covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Spinacia bloom?
Most Spinacia varieties bloom in early spring, summer, when bolting. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Spinacia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.