
Okinawan Spinach (Gynura crepioides)
Okinawa Spinach is a perennial herb that's grown and harvested like a vegetable and is a member of our Heat Loving Tropical Greens Bundle! Bi-color bright purple and green leaves and young shoots can be harvested year round. Leaves have a crisp succulent, spinach like texture. They can be eaten fresh, stir-fried, blanched, steamed or as a tea and are very popular in Asian cuisine.
Okinawan Spinach is a very easy fast-growing perennial veggie to grow and will thrive in nearly any condition. Okinawa Spinach native to China, Thailand, and Myanmar and is a member of the daisy family of plants. It's closely related to another of our favorite heat-loving perennial greens, Longevity Spinach. Start growing your own Okinawa Spinach and you'll be enjoying delicious bountiful harvests in no time!
Plant Type:
Perennial or Annual Evergreen Herb
Harvest Season:
Year-round
Longevity and Okinawa Spinach area perennial to zones 9-11 but can be grown as an annual and harvested in northern climates all summer long!
Mature Size:
Up to 1-3 ft tall with a spread of up to 3-4 ft wide
Soil & Moisture:
Prefers well-draining soil with ample water and nutrients. Drought tolerant once established.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade. Will grow in full shade but will be slightly leggy.
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Fast
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 9-11 with frost protection; Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Propagation:
Grown from cutting and will grow large enough for heavy production and harvest capability within one season.
See More:
Sow Exotic carries many different varieties of tropical perennial greens including Okinawa Spinach, Longevity Spinach, Sissoo Spinach and annuals like Lagos Spinach and Malabar Spinach.
Grow them all together in our Summer Spin-Off: Tropical Greens Bundle.