Spinach
Spinacia oleracea
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Pakistan, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Genus:
- Spinacia
- Species:
- Spinacia oleracea
- USDA Symbol:
- SPOL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Achyra similalis, Beet Webworm (Loxostege sticticalis), beet webworm moth (Spoladea recurvalis), Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), cabbage budworm moth (Hellula phidilealis), Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), Celery leaftier (Udea rubigalis), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), darksided cutworm (Euxoa messoria), Euxoa tessellata, Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Mamestra curialis, nutmeg (Discestra trifolii), Old Man Dart (Agrotis vetusta), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), Yellow-headed Cutworm (Apamea amputatrix), zebra caterpillar moth (Melanchra picta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to temperate regions with rich soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–14 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best in cool soil (50-65°F). Direct sow as spinach bolts quickly when transplanted or stressed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI