Warrigal Greens are Australia’s answer to spinach. Warrigal greens are a leafy vegetable, who’s scientific name is Tetragonia tetragonioides. Warrigal greens are native to both Australia and New Zealand, as well as Chile, Argentina and Japan.In Australia warrigal greens are considered bush tucker and have been used as a spinach substitute since early European colonisation in Australia. Interestingly, there are no records that show them featuring widely in Aboriginal cooking, however they were a part been part of early Maori cuisine.
If you have ever wondered how to grow warrigal greens then look no further. Warrigal greens are an easy plant to grow at home, although there are a few tricks to successfully growing warrigal greens in Australia. Get these right and you will be laughing.
When to plant warrigal greens:
The best time to plant warrigal greens is in spring or summer. Sow your warrigal greens seeds direct in the ground or in a punnet filled with seed-raising mix. I recommend pre-soaking the seeds for a couple of hours prior to planting to encourage germination.
Where do warrigal greens grow best?
Warrigal Greens like full sun, and moist, well drained soil. Warrigal Greens are one of the easiest and most rewarding native bush tucker plants to grow. A wind tolerant plant, warrigal greens will perform well in a variety of soil types. However, it is worth noting that plants are not particularly frost tolerant. Warrigal greens are a ground cover that thrives in full sun or light shade environments.
How much water do warrigal greens need?
While warrigal greens are a drought hardy plant, they should be regularly watered in order to be productive from a harvest point of view. If they do go through a period of low water, you can give them a trim back and a good water to stimulate new plant growth.
Are warrigal greens a perennial?
Warrigal Greens are in fact a perennial, however they can be short-lived, particularly in cold climates where it dies back in winter.
How to grow warrigal greens from seed:
Growing warrigal greens from seeds is easy, fun and rewarding! In general growing warrigal greens in pots is a great idea. Below are the steps on how to how to grow warrigal greens in a pot from seeds.
- Plant your seeds in spring and summer, and in autumn in warm frost-free areas.
- Soak seeds for 1-2 hours before sowing, and then plant in seed trays around two and a half times the diameter of the seed.
- Once established, plant around 60 cm apart in the ground, or in a medium to large pot.
How to grow warrigal greens from cuttings:
Warrigal Greens can also be grown by propagation. Growing warrigal greens from cuttings is a very simple process;
- Take a cutting, pick young leaves at the tips of the long growth.
- Root your cutting in water first, you can use some root growth liquid if you have it.
- Transplant it once roots have formed into a small pot with seed raising mix to establish further.
- Once established, plant around 60 cm apart in the ground, or in a medium to large pot.
What’s the best fertiliser for warrigal greens?
Warrigal greens can be fed with a top layer of fresh high quality potting mix or handful of slow release organic fertiliser halfway through the growing season.
When to harvest warrigal greens in Australia:
Your Warrigal Green leaves will be ready to harvest in around 8 to 10 weeks after planting.
Companion plants for warrigal greens:
As warrigal greens tend to spread out it can be planted on it’s own. However if you have the space silver beet, baby spinach and nasturtiums are good options.
What do Warrigal greens taste like?
Warrigal Greens have a nice leafy green taste with a slightly bitter after-taste. The leaves are ideal for Asian stir fry dishes as the fry so well. . They also make a nice topping for fish and other seafood dishes.
Warrigal greens problems:
Warrigal Greens have few pests or other problems but may occasionally be attacked by snails and slugs. These can be easily controlled with traps or baits.
Check out our other how to grow in Perth guides:
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