Space

Family: Amaranthaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Silky leaves unfurl with a cool, fresh snap—Space spinach delivers tender, medium-smooth foliage that stays sweet and never turns harsh.

Expect a rich, deep-green color and a lush, upright habit that makes harvesting feel effortless, with leaves that shine in salads and wilt beautifully into velvety greens for soups, sautés, and sauces. A dependable choice for gardeners seeking early, consistent performance around 40 days to maturity.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Space 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	Jun 1st	Jul 11th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 4th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jun 24th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jun 24th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jun 28th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jun 24th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jun 22nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jun 17th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jun 13th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 10th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 4th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	May 30th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	May 20th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 11th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 2nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	Apr 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Mar 21st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

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)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Space spinach is built for that sweet, cool bite—then it collapses into a silky, dark-green sheen with heat, not a harsh, grass-bitter finish. It’s the kind of leaf that holds up in a quick sauté and still stays elegant enough to star in a lightly dressed salad.

Best Uses

raw salads where you want leaves that stay sweet and crisp under dressing
quick sauté for a glossy, tender reduction that doesn’t taste bitter
blended soups for a smooth, green silk (less grit, more creaminess)
stir-through pasta sauces and omelets where spinach should melt into the dish

Flavor Profile

cool, sweet spinach flavor tender, medium-smooth leaf texture keeps a pleasant snap in raw bites wilted spinach turns velvety and silky

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon olive oil Parmesan ricotta butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease or pest for Spinacia oleracea, and how do I fix it?

Spinach commonly suffers from downy mildew when leaves stay wet and air is humid. Remove and discard infected leaves, water at the soil line in the morning, and improve airflow by spacing plants so the canopy isn’t dense. If the problem keeps recurring, use a labeled fungicide appropriate for downy mildew on leafy greens and avoid overhead watering for the rest of the cycle.

How often should I water Spinacia oleracea during its main growing phase?

During the main growth period, keep the top 1 inch of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for frequent, light watering as the surface begins to dry. In warm conditions, this often means watering every 1–3 days, while in cooler weather you may need less. Mulch lightly and check moisture by feel; if the soil is dry or the leaves look limp, water immediately to prevent stress and early bolting.

How can I tell when Spinacia oleracea is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 35–45 days when leaves are tender and the plant is forming a good rosette. Pick outer leaves first for a cut-and-come-again harvest, leaving the center to keep producing; for a one-time harvest, remove the whole plant when it reaches full size. If leaves become coarse or the plant bolts (shoots a flower stalk), flavor drops quickly—harvest immediately.