When to Plant NZ Spinach (Warrigal Greens) in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Sow August to November. Right now in October you can sow.

Planting window
Sow from August to November. Produces through summer and autumn, the months when English spinach fails. It slows or dies back in cool...
Days to harvest
55 days
Sunlight
Full sun in most zones. Part shade in extreme heat (arid, tropical). Tolerates coastal salt spray.
Water needs
Very drought tolerant once established. Water weekly in dry weather for best leaf...
Spacing
60cm apart, 90cm between rows
Soil pH
6.0-7.5

Published · Last reviewed · By GardenBuddy.au
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This NZ Spinach (Warrigal Greens) guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

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

New Zealand spinach, also known as warrigal greens or Botany Bay greens, is an Australian and New Zealand native plant that produces thick, succulent-like triangular leaves with a spinach-like flavour. Unlike true spinach, it thrives in heat and poor soils, making it the ideal summer leafy green for Australian gardens. It was historically eaten by Indigenous Australians and was collected by Joseph Banks during Cook's first voyage.

See what grows now in your own postcode

Planting Calendar for Subtropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - - S S/T/D S/T/D T/D -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 21.2°C (optimal range: 15–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

That figure is read off our own weather station in South East Queensland at 7:55 this morning, not a model.

What this month normally looks like

In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 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, 33 postcodes, SILO.

How to Grow NZ Spinach (Warrigal Greens) in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

Sow from August to November. Produces through summer and autumn, the months when English spinach fails. It slows or dies back in cool winters.

Soil
Tolerates a wide range of soils including poor, sandy, and slightly saline conditions. Performs best in well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Does not need rich soil.
pH Range
6.0-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun in most zones. Part shade in extreme heat (arid, tropical). Tolerates coastal salt spray.
Spacing
60cm apart, 90cm between rows
Watering
Very drought tolerant once established. Water weekly in dry weather for best leaf production. Tolerates neglect. Overwatering in heavy soil can cause root rot.

Companion plants: Tomato, Corn, Pumpkin (as ground cover beneath tall crops), Fruit trees (as understorey)

Avoid planting near: No known antagonists. Very easygoing companion.

Grow before, grow after

NZ Spinach belongs with the leafy greens, the leafy greens and brassicas turn of a four turn bed rotation.

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.

Subtropical Growing Tips for NZ Spinach (Warrigal Greens)

Recommended Varieties

  • Standard Tetragonia tetragonioides

Key Challenges

  • Slow germination (soak seeds first)
  • May die back in cold winters
  • Can self-seed aggressively

Pro Tips

  • The essential summer leafy green for SEQ gardens
  • Fills the gap perfectly when lettuce and spinach bolt in summer heat
  • One plant covers 1-2 square metres; don't over-plant

Harvesting NZ Spinach (Warrigal Greens)

When ready: Growing tips and leaves are plump, fresh, and dark green. Harvest when tips are 8-15cm long. Younger leaves are more tender.

How to harvest: Pinch or cut growing tips (last 5-10cm) including 3-4 leaves. This encourages branching and more production. Never strip all leaves from a stem.

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this October: Lemongrass, Ginger, Chilli Peppers and Radish.

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Common Questions About NZ Spinach (Warrigal Greens)

When do you plant nz spinach in Australia?

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

Does nz spinach grow all year round in Brisbane?

No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Aug to Nov. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page 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 Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.