Mountain spinach (Atriplex hortensis)

Overview

Atriplex hortensis, widely known as mountain spinach, is a valued annual crop prized for its mild, tender leaves that serve as an excellent spinach substitute. It closely resembles lambs quarters but offers a distinct cultivation profile, making it a versatile addition to the vegetable patch. This plant provides quick gratification, yielding a harvestable green early in the growing season, though vigilance is required to prevent bolting in high heat.

This species thrives when given sufficient space and consistent care, growing quickly to heights of 2 to 6 feet. Garden orache, another common name, is available in green, red, and white cultivars, with the red variety (‘Red Orach’) notably retaining its color well even after cooking. Utilizing mountain spinach quickly when young ensures the best flavor and texture for salads and cooked dishes.

For gardeners seeking reliable, fast-growing greens adaptable to various climates, Atriplex hortensis is an excellent choice. Its manageable size and suitability for succession planting ensure a steady supply throughout the primary growing months, provided bolting is managed through timely harvesting and continuous sowing.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Amaranthaceae
• Plant Type: Annual
• Native Range: Asia
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 2-11
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 2-6 ft
  • Spread: 1-2 ft
• Bloom Time: Flowers not showy
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

Start Atriplex hortensis by sowing seed thickly directly in prepared rows after the ground can first be worked in spring. Aim for rows spaced 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 feet apart to allow for adequate air circulation and mature size. To ensure a continuous supply of tender leaves, practice successive plantings every 20 to 30 days throughout the early season.

Once seedlings emerge, it is crucial to thin them, establishing plants 6 to 10 inches apart. Proper spacing prevents overcrowding, which encourages quick, tender growth. Water consistently and provide necessary fertilization to support the rapid development that keeps the leaves palatable.

Harvesting should begin as soon as the leaves reach about 1 inch high. For the most tender greens, harvest when plants are 6 inches tall or under; larger plants yield small, tender leaves from the top. Be aware that mountain spinach tends to bolt—producing a seed head—and become less palatable when stressed by adverse conditions or excessive heat. Clipping plants back can help delay this transition.

Landscape Uses

As an annual vegetable, mountain spinach is best utilized within productive kitchen gardens or edible borders. Its vertical growth habit, reaching up to 6 feet, means it can be tucked into the back of a raised bed or used as a temporary, edible screen. The different color cultivars, such as ‘Red Orach’, add unexpected vertical interest alongside traditional leafy greens.

The main role of Atriplex hortensis is functional: providing raw salad greens or cooked greens throughout the season. Plant it near quick-maturing crops like radishes or lettuce, utilizing the space before the taller orache fully develops its structure. Because it grows quickly, it is ideal for filling gaps left by early spring harvests.

When harvesting, remember that only the small, tender leaves are best on mature plants. This encourages the plant to keep producing side shoots, maintaining its ornamental value while maximizing edible yield.

Standout Features

Noteworthy Characteristics

Atriplex hortensis, commonly called mountain spinach, closely resembles lambs quarters. It is a mild and tender salad green if grown quickly and harvested when 6” tall and under. On larger plants pick only small tender leaves. Red, green, and white cultivars are available. The cultivar ‘Red Orach’ does not lose color when cooked. Mature seed pods are used as a dried floral decoration.Genus name comes from the Greek named for orach, a species of this genus of herbs and shrubs which can be used like spinach. Specific epithet means of or pertaining to gardens.

Tolerances

• Heat Tolerance

Potential Problems

The most common issue encountered when growing Atriplex hortensis is that the plant tends to run to seed prematurely. This bolting tendency is triggered by prolonged exposure to high temperatures or stress, which immediately degrades the flavor and texture of the leaves, rendering them bitter. To combat this, focus on consistent, medium watering and maintaining quick, lush growth through fertilization. Employing successive planting strategies ensures that as one crop begins to bolt, a younger, more tender crop is ready for harvest. Regular clipping, even just trimming the growing tips, can also delay the onset of flowering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Mountain spinach suitable for?

Atriplex hortensis is exceptionally adaptable, thriving in USDA Zones 2 through 11, allowing it to be grown across most of North America.

How large does Mountain spinach grow?

Mature Atriplex hortensis plants typically achieve a height between 2 and 6 feet, with a corresponding spread of 1 to 2 feet.

What sun exposure does Mountain spinach need?

This vegetable requires full sun conditions to achieve optimal growth and flavor development in the garden.

When does Mountain spinach bloom?

The flowers of Atriplex hortensis are not considered showy; the plant is grown primarily for its edible leaves rather than its blooms.

Conclusion

Atriplex hortensis, or mountain spinach, provides gardeners with a highly versatile, fast-growing green suitable for fresh use or cooking. Its adaptability across a wide range of hardiness zones makes it a dependable choice for many regions. Before planting, confirm your local climate aligns with USDA Zones 2-11 and prioritize providing full sun and consistent moisture for the best, most tender harvest.

Companion Planting

When planning your Vegetable garden layout, consider companion planting for Atriplex hortensis based on shared cultural needs. Since mountain spinach requires consistent moisture and full sun, pair it with other heavy feeders that appreciate similar conditions, such as bush beans or sturdy brassicas planted slightly further away to accommodate its mature spread. Avoid planting too closely with extremely shallow-rooted greens that might compete aggressively for surface nutrients early on.

Succession planting is key to maximizing the harvest of this annual. By scheduling new seeds of Atriplex hortensis every few weeks, you can integrate it with quick-harvesting crops like radishes or loose-leaf lettuces. Once those faster crops are done, the space will be ready for a new round of vegetable orache, ensuring continuous productivity.

Design Ideas

While primarily a vegetable, incorporating the red cultivars of Atriplex hortensis into ornamental borders can provide unexpected structure and color contrast. Its height (up to 6 feet) means it can function as a temporary screen or backdrop plant earlier in the season before taller perennials fill out. The contrasting leaf colors—from deep red to pale green—offer visual texture against standard garden foliage.

Use containers strategically if managing heat stress is a concern, as containers allow you to move the plant to slightly shadier spots during the hottest parts of the day, potentially delaying bolting. Ensure containers are large (at least 5 gallons) to accommodate the depth required for its root system and consistently apply medium water needs.