When to Plant Brazilian Spinach in Perth, Mediterranean Guide

Plant now in Mediterranean
What this month normally looks like in Mediterranean

In October the Mediterranean zone normally runs 22°C by day and 10°C overnight, with about 38 mm of rain over 6 or 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 19 postcodes, SILO.

Jump to section
  1. Planting calendar
  2. How to grow
  3. Local tips and varieties
  4. Pests and problems
  5. Harvesting
  6. Other zones and related crops
  7. Common questions

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This Brazilian Spinach guide is written for the Mediterranean zone, which takes in Perth, Adelaide and Bunbury. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Planting window
Oct to Dec
Days to harvest
about 13 weeks
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Water
Moderate
Spacing
60 cm apart
Soil pH
6.6–7.3

Brazilian spinach (sissoo spinach) is a low spreading perennial ground cover to about 30 cm with crinkled leaves, grown from cuttings in hot humid climates (Green Harvest, Succeed Heirlooms).

Brazilian Spinach

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Best Planting Window for Mediterranean

  • Jan -
  • Feb -
  • Mar -
  • Apr -
  • May -
  • Jun -
  • Jul -
  • Aug -
  • Sep -
  • Oct P
  • Nov P
  • Dec P

P = Planting window

You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. Plant cuttings October to December in a part shaded, sheltered spot with steady water (Green Harvest). No Mediterranean source and it is unlikely to do well south of Sydney (Green Harvest). Months derived.

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One email a week with what is worth planting in the Mediterranean zone right now, Brazilian Spinach included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

How to Grow Brazilian Spinach in Mediterranean Australia

Soil
Most soils; prefers a moderate to rich loam and dislikes waterlogging (Green Harvest).
Salt
Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
pH Range
6.6-7.3
Sunlight
Full sun to medium shade (Green Harvest, Daleys).
Spacing
60cm apart, 60cm between rows
Watering
Moderate water; avoid waterlogging (Daleys, Green Harvest).
Grow before it
Legumes (Beans - Dwarf, Peas, Broad Beans)
Grow after it
Fruiting crops (Tomato, Capsicum, Zucchini)

Give the bed 3 turns before leafy greens go back in. Leaf crops want the nitrogen the legumes left behind.

Members see the exact salt threshold, how much harvest it loses as salt rises, and what to grow instead. See what members get

Mediterranean Growing Tips for Brazilian Spinach

Recommended Varieties

  • Sissoo spinach

Key Challenges

  • Dry summer and frost

Pro Tips

  • Part shade, steady water

Pests and problems for Brazilian Spinach in Mediterranean

Members see each pest score and pest risk alerts for your area. See what members get

Browse the full pest library →

Harvesting Brazilian Spinach

When ready: Young leaves once the plant has mounded (Green Harvest, Succeed Heirlooms).

How to harvest: Pick young leaves and tips regularly (Succeed Heirlooms).

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What members get

  • Soil and weather from your nearest station
  • An email when it's time to sow
  • Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
  • Price history and price alerts
  • Pest risk alerts for your area
  • Full salt and canning detail

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Common Questions About Brazilian Spinach

When do you plant brazilian spinach in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

When should I plant Brazilian Spinach in Perth?

You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. Plant cuttings October to December in a part shaded, sheltered spot with steady water (Green Harvest). No Mediterranean source and it is unlikely to do well south of Sydney (Green Harvest). Months derived.

How do I know when Brazilian Spinach are ready to harvest?

Young leaves once the plant has mounded (Green Harvest, Succeed Heirlooms).

What are the best Brazilian Spinach varieties for Perth?

Recommended varieties for the Mediterranean zone include: Sissoo spinach.

Are brazilian spinach salt tolerant?

Only a little. Brazilian spinach are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Mediterranean zone, Perth is its reference city.