Different Types of Spinach to Grow

Kitchen Gardening

What are the Different Types of Spinach?

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The humble spinach grows in many of our gardens. It is a versatile vegetable with many uses and it's also super easy to grow from seeds!

Buy Spinach Seeds to Grow Your Own!

 
Most of all, it’s used in cooking; often used to make delicious, healthy, leafy dishes, or even for raw consumption in smoothies and shakes - a fitness freak's favorite!


But did you know that there are also many different types of spinach? Each comes with its own intricacies and nuances while being grown and cooked. This blog will tell you all about it!


However, the first thing to know is that spinach is divided into three main varieties: savoy, semi-savoy, and flat-leafed spinach. Each of these varieties has their cultivars or sub-varieties.

The truest form of spinach is scientifically called Spinacea oleracia. 

 

 

Let's Explore the 3 Different Types of Spinach!

1. Savoy Spinach Crinkled and curly leaves, dark green color, thicker leaves, better cold tolerance
2. Semi-Savoy Spinach Moderately crinkled leaves, faster growth, upright growth habit, good cold and heat tolerance
3. Flat-leaf Spinach Smooth and broad leaves, tender texture, fastest growing variety, less disease-resistant than the rest, better suited to warm climates

 

From the main type of spinach stem its many different sub-types. At the end of this blog, maybe you'll be able to pick a favorite to grow and cook! So, let's get into it!

 

1. Savoy Spinach

Savoy Spinach Leaves

Savoy spinach is more productive than the other two forms of spinach. It also handles the cold better than the other varieties. As for appearance, it has very crinkled leaves that grow pretty low, which means that you have to bend down a bit to clean the leaves.

 

1.1 Some savoy spinach

a. Bloomsdale

This is a well-known, thick-leafed spinach that is fairly succulent and savory in nature. It handles the cold pretty well. Also, it produces large yields during the early part of the summer.


b. Regiment

This plant produces large yields of deep, saturated green leaves that stay soft and tender even when they have matured. This makes the plant easy to cook and use in the kitchen.

 


2. Semi-Savoy Spinach

It is a variety that grows more upright than savoy spinach, which means that it also stands up a bit straight. Also, its leaves are much less crinkly - almost looking as flat as those of the flat-leaf spinach - which makes washing them less of a hassle.

Finally, their biggest asset is that they are astoundingly disease and bolt-resistant. That’s why these are the ones that home gardeners tend to choose!

 

2.1 Some semi-savoy spinach

a. Indian Summer

This is a fine and productive, three-season spinach for production in spring, summer, and fall. Its leaves are flattened and fairly smooth. 



b. Tyee

This variety of spinach grows upright and develops vigorously. It has dark green leaves that are bolt-resistant. It can be grown in mild winter areas throughout the year.


c. Catalina

This plant has thick leaves that are succulent and spear-shaped. It is a good variety to be used for cooking because of the structure of its foliage.

 


3. Flat-Leaf Spinach

Flat-leaf Spinach

It is just as the name suggests; with a very smooth surface that is the easiest to clean. They are also the first spinach used as the canned and frozen variety. But they are sold fresh as well. 

 

3.1 Space Spinach

When compared to most smooth-leaved varieties ‘Space Spinach’ is slower to bolt.


3.2 Red Carnival

‘Red Carnival’ showcases red veins in the leaves and has deep red stems. It makes a great addition to a salad, but it bolts faster than any green-leafed spinach and hence must be harvested young.

Also Read: Growing spinach in pots

 


Alternative Spinach Varieties


1. New Zealand Spinach

New Zealand Spinach

The leaves of this plant are crisp and succulent. They pretty much melt in your mouth as you bite into them! So it can be eaten raw but also cooked.

 


2. Malabar Spinach

Malabar Spinach: Indian spinach varieties

This spinach needs a lot of summer heat and a trellis to climb on, which will help it reach its full potential. This could be a 10’ vine! Grow it if you want some height in your garden.

The best part? If you've been looking for the best Spinach variety to grow in Indian weather, you've finally found it!

Also Read More About Growing Green Malabar Spinach Seeds

 

With a proper understanding of the different types of Spinach in India, you can easily grow one or all of your favorites. Depending on your gardening and culinary preferences, grow Spinach and discover the true benefits of homegrown produce. 

This wonderfully versatile and delicious leafy green will never disappoint!

 

Explore More Vegetable Seeds for Homegrown Produce