Quick Take:
• Type: Leafy Green
• Season: Year-round (especially summer)
• Growth Style: Low-growing ground cover
• Bonus: Doesn’t bolt or get bitter in the heat—hello, Florida summer MVP!
Why We Love It:
Brazilian Spinach (Alternanthera sissoo) is the plant version of a chill friend who always shows up and never complains. It thrives in tropical heat, forms a lush green carpet in your garden, and keeps on growing even when others give up. It’s crisp, juicy, and mild—nothing like the slimy spinach most people are wary of.
Garden Tips from Farmer Jack:
This heat-tolerant beauty thrives in full sun to partial shade and doesn’t need much fuss. It spreads nicely, making it perfect for ground cover under fruit trees or in bare garden corners. It loves being snipped—just harvest the tops and it’ll keep coming back, fuller and stronger.
Want bonus points? Tuck it under taller crops like bananas or cassava for a living mulch that also feeds you!
Eat It Up! Favorite Ways to Use It:
1. Quick Stir-Fry – Toss chopped Brazilian spinach with garlic, sesame oil, and tamari for a 5-minute side dish.
2. Fresh Garden Salad – Use the tender young leaves in place of lettuce for a juicier bite.
3. Ginger-Garlic Soup Green – Add a handful at the end of cooking for a silky, spinach-like finish.
4. Tropical Tacos – Use as a bed for grilled pineapple and black beans—yes please.
5. Savory Frittata – Fold it into eggs with onions, rosemary, and a bit of cheese.
Green Thumb Pro Tips:
• Not a fan of wet feet—make sure your soil drains well.
• Keep it trimmed low for the crunchiest leaves.
• It’s easy to propagate via cuttings. Snip, stick in moist soil, and you’ve got new plants!