How to Grow Pink Tree Spinach 

How to Grow Giant Goosefoot Spinach (Pink Tree Spinach): The Colourful Vegetable Every Organic Gardener Should Try

If you're looking to grow something a little different in your vegetable garden this year, let me introduce you to one of my favourite discoveries – Giant Goosefoot Spinach, also known as Tree Spinach (Chenopodium giganteum).

When I first sowed the seeds, I wasn't prepared for just how beautiful this plant would become. Its bright magenta growing tips almost look as though someone has dipped them in pink paint, making it just as ornamental as it is edible.

Best of all? It's incredibly easy to grow, produces leaves for months, and is perfect for organic gardens.

What is Giant Goosefoot Spinach?

Despite its name, Giant Goosefoot Spinach isn't a true spinach. It's actually a member of the goosefoot family, which also includes quinoa and fat hen (lamb's quarters).

Unlike traditional spinach, which often bolts in warm weather, Tree Spinach loves the summer and keeps producing delicious leaves throughout the growing season.

The young leaves are tender and mild, while the larger leaves are perfect cooked just like spinach.

Why You'll Love Growing It

There are so many reasons to add this unusual vegetable to your garden.

• Beautiful bright pink growing tips.

• Easy to grow from seed.

• Excellent for beginners.

• Produces leaves over a long season.

• Great for wildlife-friendly organic gardens.

• Can reach over 2 metres (6 feet) tall.

• Often self-seeds for next year.

It's one of those vegetables that visitors always ask about!

When to Sow

Sow seeds from April to June, once the risk of frost has passed.

You can start seeds indoors a few weeks earlier to get larger plants sooner.

How to Sow

Giant Goosefoot Spinach is very straightforward to grow.

1. Fill pots or seed trays with peat-free compost.

2. Sow seeds about ½cm deep.

3. Water gently.

4. Keep warm until they germinate.

Seeds usually appear within 7–14 days.

Once seedlings have developed a few true leaves, they're ready to pot on or plant outside.

Where to Grow

Choose a sunny or lightly shaded position.

This plant isn't particularly fussy but grows best in:

• Rich organic soil

• Well-drained ground

• Large containers

• Raised beds

I grow mine in my Organic Yarden, where it's thriving alongside tomatoes and other summer vegetables.

Spacing

Give each plant around 45–60cm (18–24 inches) of space.

Although they start off small, they soon become impressive plants.

Watering

Water regularly during dry weather, especially if growing in pots.

Adding homemade compost or organic mulch around the base helps keep moisture in the soil and feeds the plant naturally.

Feeding

If you've enriched your soil with compost before planting, your Tree Spinach won't need much extra feeding.

A monthly liquid seaweed feed during summer can encourage even more leafy growth.

Harvesting

The best part is harvesting!

Start picking the young leaves once the plant reaches around 20–30cm tall.

Always pick little and often.

Harvesting the growing tips encourages the plant to become bushier and produce even more leaves.

The younger leaves are delicious in salads, while older leaves are lovely:

• Stir-fried

• Added to soups

• Mixed into curries

• Steamed like spinach

• Blended into pasta sauces

Is It Good for You?

Absolutely!

Like many leafy greens, Giant Goosefoot Spinach contains:

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin C

• Calcium

• Iron

• Potassium

• Fibre

As with spinach, it's best enjoyed as part of a varied diet, especially if eaten in large quantities, as it naturally contains oxalates.

Will It Come Back Next Year?

Although Giant Goosefoot Spinach is usually grown as an annual, it's very good at self-seeding.

If you allow a few flower heads to mature, you may find little seedlings popping up around your garden the following spring.

I always consider these a lovely free gift from nature!

Common Problems

The good news is there aren't many.

Watch out for:

• Slugs attacking young seedlings.

• Aphids on soft new growth.

• Plants becoming top-heavy in windy gardens.

Tall plants may appreciate a bamboo cane for support.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking to grow something that's productive, unusual and guaranteed to start conversations, Giant Goosefoot Spinach deserves a place in your vegetable garden.

Its stunning pink foliage makes it look like an ornamental plant, but hidden beneath the beauty is a delicious leafy vegetable that's incredibly generous throughout the summer.

Whether you're growing in a large vegetable patch, raised beds or containers like I do in my Organic Yarden, this is one plant I think every organic gardener should try at least once.

Who knows... once you've grown it, it may become one of your annual favourites too!  You can get my Free easy Grow guide to Giant Goosefoot Spinach below to help your growing. 

Happy Growing,

Amber-Jane 🌿