New Zealand spinach
Tetragonia tetragonioides
Also known asWarrigal greens · Botany Bay spinach · Cook's cabbage · Tetragonia
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 8–12 (winter low around -12°C)
- Frost
- tolerates light frost
- Season
- warm (summer, frost-sensitive)
Growing systems
Root mass: moderate.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded clay pebbles (LECA) | neutral / inert | low | high |
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.8 |
| vegetative | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1.8 |
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible
Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
A warm-season spinach alternative for hydroponic systems during summer when true spinach won't grow. EC 1.5-2.5 mS/cm. pH 6.0-7.5. Temperature: 20–32°C (warm-season; frost kills the plant, but it thrives in heat that destroys lettuce and spinach). Moderate to high light (DLI 14-22 mol/m2/day). DWC, media beds, or containers. Seed germination is slow and irregular (soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting to improve germination). From seed to first harvest: 7-9 weeks (slow to establish). Once established, the plant produces continuously for months, growing larger and more productive over time. Harvest by picking individual leaves and tender stem tips (the stems are also edible when young). The leaves are slightly thicker and more succulent than true spinach; use them the same way (raw in salads when young, cooked as a spinach substitute in any recipe). The mild, slightly salty flavor is pleasant. For aquaponics systems that run through hot summers, New Zealand spinach fills the leafy-green production gap that exists when lettuce and true spinach bolt.