When to Plant NZ Spinach (Warrigal Greens) in Cairns, Tropical Guide

Sow April to July. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is April.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
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 Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Brisbane 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.

Planting Calendar for Tropical

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: 21.4°C (optimal range: 15–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Cairns), not a live sensor.

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

When to Plant

Year-round. Thrives in tropical conditions. May slow in the wettest months but persists. The ideal leafy green for tropical Australia.

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.

Tropical Growing Tips for NZ Spinach (Warrigal Greens)

Recommended Varieties

  • Standard Tetragonia tetragonioides (no named cultivars widely available)

Key Challenges

  • May become leggy in wet season
  • Root rot if waterlogged
  • Can become invasive

Pro Tips

  • The single best spinach substitute for tropical gardens
  • Requires almost no maintenance once established
  • Use as ground cover under fruit trees for dual purpose

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 tropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Cucumber and Basil.

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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 Cairns?

No. In the Tropical zone the planting months are Apr to Jul. 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 Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.