Egyptian Spinach – 50 Seeds

Egyptian Spinach (Corchorus olitorius) is also known as jute mallow, Jew’s mallow, nalta jute, and Molokhia. In its native Egypt, it goes by Molukhyia, where it has been cultivated for centuries. The plant produces tasty leaves and edible seed pods. It has a long history of use in the middle east as a super green known for its high vitamin and mineral content. It is also a very popular leafy vegetable in the northern and eastern regions of South Africa. Younger leaves can be eaten raw in salads, on sandwiches and the older leaves cooked or dried. Use leaves as you would spinach. Easy to grow and ready to harvest in just two months.

It is an an erect, annual quick growing plant and can reach a height from 20 cm to approximately 1.5m. The fruit is a cylindrical capsule with many seeds. The flowers are small, 2 to 3 cm in diameter and yellow, with five petals. It can be harvest and topped when young for more lateral growth or clear cut when tall and replanted. If grown out to maturity the stalks can be processed to make the fibrous material jute

Growing Egyptian Spinach

• This plant is very tolerant of moist soil types and can grow in neutral and acidic soil.
• Must be grown in full sun.
• Direct sow the seeds when the  temperature is around 25 °C.
• Before sowing, soak the seeds in hot water for a few seconds. Then, soak them in room temperature water for at least 12 hours.
• Once the soaking is complete, you can sow the seeds into the soil.
• Sow the seeds half an inch deep, spaced out at  5 cm. Once each plant has developed 6 to 7 leaves,  thin them out to a spacing of 38 cm.
• The seeds germinate very quickly, usually within 2 or 3 days.
• It is not frost and drought tolerant. It is a heat tolerant plant that loves water so make sure to keep it moist.
• It can be kept as a perennial in warm climates, but grows best as an annual for more tender new growth.
• Can be grown in containers.