leafy green
EdibleSpinach
Spinacia oleracea
Considered non-toxic to cats and dogs (source: ASPCA (not listed; high in oxalates)).
Some direct sun — an east or west window, or a few hours of direct light.
Keep evenly moist — water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Needs a little consistency, but nothing fancy.
Spinach is a quick cool-season green that prefers it on the cooler side and bolts fast in heat. Harvest leaves young for the best texture.
About Spinach
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a quick cool-season green that suits a windowsill for part of the year. It originates in central and western Asia and has been a kitchen staple across Europe for centuries. For a renter it needs only a 4-litre pot and medium light. The payoff is tender young leaves you pick over a few weeks rather than one big cut.
The thing to know is that spinach bolts fast once it warms up, so it does best somewhere on the cooler side. Harvest the outer leaves while they're young and tender, and sow in succession so a new batch is always coming on as the older one runs to seed. A first picking arrives around 37 to 50 days. Damp, crowded conditions can bring downy mildew, so give the leaves room and airflow.
What it’s like to grow
Spinach is rated moderate, largely because warmth cuts its run short. The clearest signal of trouble is rapid bolting: when it sends up a flower stalk, the cool window has passed and leaf quality drops. Watch too for downy mildew if the foliage stays damp and crowded. It's a good pick for cooler rooms and cooler months. Spinach is non-toxic to cats and dogs, though it's high in oxalates, so it's a leaf to grow rather than to let pets nibble.
What to expect
First harvest in about 37–50 days. It asks for a little consistency, but nothing fancy. No sunny window? It also does fine under a clip-on grow light.
See what you’ll need to get started ↓Companions
Tips
- Grow in cooler conditions; warmth makes it bolt quickly.
- Harvest outer leaves continuously while young.
- Sow in succession for a steady supply.
Common problems
- Rapid bolting once it gets warm.
- Downy mildew in damp, crowded conditions.
Common questions
Is Spinach toxic to cats and dogs?
Spinach is non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it a safe pick if you have pets. Source: ASPCA (not listed; high in oxalates).
How much light does Spinach need?
Spinach does best in medium, indirect light: near an east or west window, or a little back from a bright one. Direct midday sun can scorch it.
How often should I water Spinach?
Water Spinach when the top inch of soil feels dry, then let it drain. Aim for evenly moist, not soggy.
What temperature does Spinach need?
Spinach is happiest around 10–21 °C. It tolerates brief dips to about -9 °C, but cold drafts and sudden chills set it back.
How long does Spinach take to grow?
Expect a first harvest about 37–50 days from sowing under good conditions. Pick outer leaves young and tender; one sowing gives a few weeks of cuttings before bolting.
Can I grow Spinach without a sunny window?
Yes. Spinach does well under an affordable clip-on grow light, so a bright window isn't essential.
How big does Spinach get?
A low leafy rosette ~0.15–0.25 m tall; sow thickly and harvest as a patch.
How do I propagate Spinach?
Sow seeds directly into cool, moist soil; warmth makes it bolt before sizing up.
What pests affect Spinach?
Watch for aphids, leaf miners and spider mites. Check new growth and the undersides of leaves often, and treat early with a rinse or insecticidal soap before they spread.
Is Spinach easy to grow?
Spinach is moderately easy. It asks for some consistency with light and water, but nothing advanced.
Gear for Spinach
Gear suggestions to get you started — general picks, not paid placements.
Pet-toxicity from the ASPCA. Care details are general guidance, not professional or veterinary advice; only eat plants you can positively identify as the edible plant and part described. Photo: Kayser Ahmad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA). Care info last updated 2026-06-02.