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How to Grow Warrigal Greens

Tetragonia tetragonioides

Half Hardy Warm Season Continuous Harvest

When to Start

Sow indoors 3 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoors after frost risk has passed and soil reaches 12°C.

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Growth Stages

Sow seeds
Germination ~14d
Harvest ~70d

Approximate days from start

Care Essentials

  • Light balanced liquid feed once a month. Overly rich feeding produces lush growth prone to pests. Warrigal greens are naturally vigorous on modest fertility.
  • An excellent heat-tolerant spinach substitute that thrives in summer when true spinach bolts. Originally from coastal Australia and New Zealand. The succulent, slightly crystalline leaves are mild-flavoured. Soak seeds overnight before sowing to improve germination. Self-seeds freely in mild climates.

Companion Planting

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Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature: 12°C+
Germination temperature: 15–25°C

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Spacing & Planting

Plant spacing 45 cm
Row spacing 60 cm
Sow depth 1.5 cm
Mature height 40 cm
Mature spread 90 cm

Warrigal greens spread vigorously — allow generous spacing. Can be planted closer and thinned as plants establish.

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Care Guide

Feeding
Light balanced liquid feed once a month. Overly rich feeding produces lush growth prone to pests. Warrigal greens are naturally vigorous on modest fertility.
Watch for
  • Aphids on shoot tips
  • Whitefly in warm sheltered positions
  • Powdery mildew in dry weather
  • Slugs on young plants

Pests & Diseases

Pest Aphids

Identification: Clusters of green or black insects on shoot tips and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew; distorted growing points

Organic treatment:
  • Blast off with a jet of water
  • Spray with insecticidal soap
  • Encourage ladybirds and hoverflies
Chemical treatment:
  • Spray with a contact insecticide containing pyrethrins
Pest Slugs and Snails

Identification: Irregular holes in young leaves; slime trails; seedlings eaten at ground level

Organic treatment:
  • Apply organic slug pellets (ferric phosphate) around plants
  • Hand-pick at dusk; use beer traps
  • Encourage ground beetles and hedgehogs
Chemical treatment:
  • Apply ferric phosphate slug pellets around vulnerable plants
Disease Powdery Mildew

Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves; more common in dry weather with warm days and cool nights

Treatment: Improve air circulation; remove affected leaves; water at the base not overhead

Prevention: Space plants well; avoid drought stress; water regularly at the base

Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature12°C
Germination temperature15–25°C
Base growth temperature10°C
Photoperiod sensitivityday neutral

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Warrigal Greens?
Plant Warrigal Greens 45cm apart with 60cm between rows.
When can I harvest Warrigal Greens?
Warrigal Greens is ready to harvest approximately 35 days after transplanting.
Is Warrigal Greens frost hardy?
Warrigal Greens is classified as Half Hardy.

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