A Visual Guide to Spinach Plants

With their vibrant green leaves and health benefits, spinach plants are a beloved vegetable grown in backyards and farms worldwide. This illustrated guide takes a close look at spinach through a collection of high-quality photos, examining the plant’s appearance throughout its life cycle along with growing tips.

What Does a Spinach Plant Look Like?

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an annual plant that belongs to the amaranth family. Here are the key features that characterize its appearance:

• Leaves – The oval or triangular shaped leaves are normally a vibrant green color, with slightly crinkled or curly edges. Baby spinach has small, tender leaves while full size varieties have larger, thicker leaves.

• Stems – Mature spinach plants develop thick, hollow stems that can reach 2 feet tall when the plant bolts. Young plants start out with thin stems.

• Flowers – In the second year of growth spinach produces small greenish flowers on tall stalks signaling that the plant is bolting.

• Seeds – Tiny round spinach seeds develop after flowering They are brown or white colored

• Roots – Spinach has a shallow taproot system along with fibrous secondary roots.

Now let’s take a photographic tour of spinach in all its stages,

Spinach Seeds and Seedlings

The spinach life cycle begins with tiny seeds that germinate into seedlings.

• Spinach seeds are planted 1⁄2 inch deep in the soil. They germinate best between 35-75°F.

• The first seedling leaves that emerge are oval shaped. These baby leaves will fill out as the plant matures.

• Thin overcrowded seedlings to 4-6 inches apart to allow room for growth.

Mature Spinach Plants

Given proper care and growing conditions, spinach matures into vibrant, leafy plants in 45-60 days.

• Mature plants form clumps of upright, thick leaves arising from a central stem. Leaves are normally dark green but some varieties have crinkled leaves or purple tones.

• Spinach prefers cool temperatures. Hot weather causes the plants to bolt rapidly and produce flowers/seeds.

• Plants can grow 6-12 inches tall at full size. Give them at least 6 inches between plants for growth.

Harvesting Spinach

• Spinach tastes best and is most tender when harvested young, while leaves are still small and delicate.

• To harvest, cut outer leaves off the plants near the base when they are 3-6 inches long. This stimulates new growth.

• Plants will continuously produce leaves over 2-3 months. Entire plants can be cut off just above soil level when they get large.

• Pick leaves promptly before they yellow or wilt. Time harvests for early morning while leaves are crisp.

Stages of Flowering Spinach

If exposed to high heat or long daylight hours, spinach will bolt and produce flowers/seeds in its second season of growth:

• Flowering begins with tall stalks rising 12-18 inches above the plant. Tiny greenish flowers develop on the stalks.

• Flowers are pollinated by wind and insects. This is followed by seed pod formation.

• Seeds start out green but turn beige or brown at maturity in 2-3 months.

• At this late stage, leaves become bitter and unpalatable. The energy of the plant has shifted to seed production.

Growing Spinach in Gardens and Containers

Spinach thrives when given proper care. Follow these tips for success:

Location

• Plant in full sun or light shade. Spinach grows best with 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.

• Choose a plot with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Amend soil with compost if needed to improve fertility and drainage.

Planting

• Sow seeds directly in the garden 2-3 weeks before the last spring frost date. Or start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks prior for transplanting.

• Space seeds or transplants 2-6 inches apart in all directions, depending on mature size.

• Ensure constant soil moisture until seeds germinate. Water transplants well and harden off before planting.

Care

• Water plants regularly to keep soil moist, about 1-2 inches per week. Add mulch to conserve moisture.

• Fertilize every 3-4 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers that spur leaf growth over nutrients.

• Control pests like leafminers, aphids and slugs that afflict spinach. Remove weeds to minimize competition.

Harvest

• Begin harvesting outer leaves when they reach 3-6 inches long. Cut leaves off the stem near the base.

• Harvest continually until quality deteriorates. Entire plants can be cut off just above soil level.

• Time harvest for early morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture.

Storage

• Consume spinach immediately after harvest for best quality and taste. It does not store well.

• To preserve, blanch leaves in boiling water then shock in ice water. Freeze leaves in airtight bags.

• Refrigerate leaves dry and loose for 2-3 days maximum. Don’t wash until ready to use.

Common Problems With Spinach

Even when given proper care, spinach can sometimes run into problems. Watch for these potential issues:

• Bolting – Premature flowering and seeding. Caused by high heat or long daylight exposure. Pick leaves promptly before bolting begins.

• Poor germination – Seeds failing to sprout well. Avoid planting in hot weather. Ensure soil is kept moist.

• Slow growth – Stunted plants with pale leaves. Can be caused by low temperatures, compacted soil, or nutrient deficiencies.

• Leaf spot – Fungal disease creating spots on leaves. Improve air circulation and avoid wetting leaves.

• Downy mildew – Fungal infection creating yellow lesions on leaves. Rotate crops and space plants appropriately.

• Weeds – Aggressive weeds can crowd out spinach and steal nutrients/moisture. Mulch and hand pull weeds to control them.

Tips for Maximizing Yields

With proper care, spinach can be a high yielding crop. Here are some tips to get the most out of your plants:

• Choose faster maturing spinach cultivars that are bred for higher yields.

• Plant in early spring and again in late summer for a fall crop. This avoids summer heat.

• Add nitrogen-rich fertilizer or compost to fuel leafy growth. But don’t overdo it to prevent bolting.

• Control pests immediately to prevent losses. Caterpillars and slugs can quickly defoliate plants.

• Prevent disease with proper spacing, crop rotation and avoiding wetting foliage.

• Harvest leaves promptly and regularly to stimulate continuous regrowth throughout the season.

The Joys of Growing Spinach