Red Cardinal

Family: Amaranthaceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Red Cardinal to a garden.

Tender, fast-growing leaves of Red Cardinal unfurl in a vivid, wine-red to crimson-green tapestry—lush and velvety to the touch, with a pleasantly mild spinach flavor that stays sweet even as the plants mature.

The foliage forms an upright, leafy canopy with crisp, succulent texture and an attractive red stem and midrib that make every harvest look garden-fresh and richly colored. Ideal for Asian-style stir-fries, quick sautéing, and fresh tossing into salads, Red Cardinal brings color-forward greens to your table in just about 40 days.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Red Cardinal Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	May 4th	May 25th	Jul 4th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 18th	Jun 27th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 17th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 17th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 12th	Jun 21st – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 17th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 6th	Jun 15th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jun 10th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Apr 27th	Jun 6th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	Jun 3rd – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 18th	May 28th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 13th	May 23rd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 3rd	May 13th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Mar 25th	May 4th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 16th	Apr 25th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Feb 27th	Apr 8th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 2nd	Mar 14th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 10th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	40
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Cardinal’s mild, sweet spinach flavor and crisp-tender bite make it ideal for fast wok work—you can color the pan without the leaves turning to dull mush. The wine-red stems and midribs stay visually loud even after a brief wilt, so it plays great in both bright salads and glossy, high-heat sauces.

Best Uses

quick-heat stir-fries where the leaves stay green and snappy
hot sauté with a glossy finish (short cook, high heat)
tossed raw or just-wilted into salads for color and chew

Flavor Profile

mild spinach sweetness crisp-tender succulence velvety leaf texture

Kitchen Pairings

ginger sesame oil soy sauce lemon crisp bacon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Spinacia oleracea (red Cardinal spinach), and how do I control it?

Watch for downy mildew and leaf spot, especially when leaves stay wet from evening watering or humid weather. Remove badly spotted leaves and improve airflow by thinning to good spacing; water at the soil line so foliage dries quickly. If conditions stay favorable for disease, use a labeled fungicide that’s appropriate for leafy greens and follow label timing closely to avoid harvest delays.

How often should I water Spinacia oleracea during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During active leaf growth (after seedlings establish, roughly weeks 2–5), keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for evenly damp soil 1–2 inches down. Water about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and container vs. in-ground, increasing frequency when the top inch dries out. Avoid letting the soil swing between dry and wet because spinach can become tough and more prone to stress.

How can I tell when red Cardinal spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is ready to harvest?

Harvest about 40 days from sowing, starting when leaves are large enough to pick—typically when outer leaves are 4–6 inches long. Pick in the morning for best texture, and use the “cut-and-come-again” method by snipping outer leaves while leaving the crown intact for continued leaf production. If you see flower stalks forming or leaves taste bitter, harvest immediately and expect the plant to slow as it bolts.