The round, fleshy, semi-succulent green leaves are tougher than spinach.
When cooked, they acquire a viscous consistency similar to okra.
Gardeners tout longevity spinach for its taste and nutrition, as it’s very nutrient-dense.
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Longevity spinach is a perennial in USDA Zones 9-11 and grown as an annual in climates with chilly winters.
It lends itself to container-growing and can be grown indoors during the winter.
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How to Care for Longevity Spinach
Great news: this vigorous plant requires minimal care.
Sun
Plant longevity spinach in full sun to partial shade.
For growing the plant indoors, place it less than 3 feet from an east- or south-facing window.
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If there is not sufficient natural light, use grow lights.
Soil
The soil should be high in organic matter and well-drained.
Longevity spinach does poorly in soggy soil.
In terms of soil pH, the plant is adaptable to apH range between 5.0 and 7.0.
Potted plants need more frequent watering than plants in garden soil.
Dont water from overhead but instead water at the base of the plant or install a drip irrigation system.
Flowers are not desirable because they unnecessarily absorb the energy that the plant needs for foliage growth.
Harvesting it regularly is key to a bushy, strong growth.
However, harvest a young plant only lightly and as it matures, increase the amount that you cut.
To prevent this from happening, keep harvesting it.
Seedlings and young plants are especially vulnerable to the cold.
After you purchase a plant, delay planting until there is no more risk of a late frost.
By the same token, dont leave container plants outdoors during cold nights.
Pests
Generally, longevity spinach has few serious pest problems.
The plant attracts beetles,aphids, mites, whiteflies, and leafminers.
Most of these pests are managed withinsecticidal soaporNeem oilbefore they turn into an infestation.
The virus manifests itself as chlorotic local lesions on the leaves.
eventually leading to stunted plant growth.
The lack of airflow in longevity spinach because of the plants dense growth habit may lead to fungal diseases.
The best way to prevent them is to harvest the leaves regularly.
Growing it on a trellis to keep it off the ground ensures better airflow around the plant.
The raw leaves also have a taste reminiscent of spinach.
To prevent this from happening, harvest the leaves regularly and grow the plant on a trellis.
Yes, you’ve got the option to grow it in the winter.
In a frost-free climate, longevity spinach grows outdoors year-round.
After a frost, it may die back to the ground but usually regrows from its roots.
In areas with cold winters, grow it indoors during the winter.
Summer Spinaches Take the Heat.
First Report of Broad Bean Wilt Virus 2 in Gynura procumbens in Korea.
The American Phytopathological Society.
