Orach
Atriplex hortensis
Also known asOrache · Mountain spinach · French spinach · Garden orache · Saltbush · Red orach
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 4–9 (winter low around -34°C)
- Frost
- tolerates light frost
- Season
- cool (spring/fall)
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 | 0.7 |
| vegetative | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1.5 |
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
An easy, fast, visually striking hydroponic leafy green. EC 1.2-2.0 mS/cm. pH 6.0-8.0 (salt-tolerant; handles alkaline conditions better than most greens). Temperature: 15–30°C (wider heat tolerance than true spinach). Moderate light (DLI 12-20 mol/m2/day). Any hydroponic system works. From seed to baby leaf: 3-4 weeks. Full-sized: 6-8 weeks. Harvest young leaves for salad (the red and purple varieties add dramatic color to salad mixes). Older leaves are better cooked (sauteed like spinach; the color of red orach bleeds into cooking liquid, similar to beets). The plant grows tall; if space is limited, pinch the growing tip at 30 cm to promote bushy, lateral growth. Succession plant every 3 weeks. Self-seeds aggressively in outdoor settings. For commercial hydroponic salad mix producers, red and purple orach is one of the most visually impactful additions: the deep magenta color is genuine (not dyed), eye-catching, and rare among leafy greens. Premium pricing reflects the novelty and visual appeal.
Notable varieties
| Cultivar | Type | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magenta Magic | open pollinated | 45 | Deep magenta-purple leaves and stems, the most ornamental of the orachs. Holds color through the season instead of fading green in heat. Common in cut-flower and edible-landscape mixes as much as kitchen gardens. |
| Aurora | open pollinated | 45 | Mixed-color seed strain producing green, gold, pink, and red plants from one packet. Useful for visual variety in a salad bed; flavor is identical across colors. |
| Golden | open pollinated | 45 | Pure chartreuse-yellow leaves on green stems. Bolts slightly faster than the red types but the color is striking. Loses some intensity in deep shade. |
| Triple Purple | open pollinated | 50 | Selection bred for the deepest, most uniform purple of the cultivated orachs. Less variation from plant to plant than Magenta Magic. Stalks are striking in late-summer floral arrangements. |