Post #86 Plant Profile: Sissoo Spinach (Alternanthera sessiis)
We know, we know, you are probably wondering just how many tropical greens we are going to feature in our plant profiles, but we’re just looking out for your health! A diet composed of abundant greens and balanced with lots of other fruits, veggies, high quality proteins, fats, and dare we say whole, complex carbohydrates in moderation, makes up a diet for longevity!
And let’s not forget that growing plants either native to or conducive to our South Florida landscape saves on water and complements the natural landscape. Food forests are all about letting your garden find homeostasis. Homeostasis means less watering, happier plants, and abundant nutrients on your plate.
So, back to sissoo spinach. Yup, we love it. This one may be more popular as a lightly cooked green than raw, but we love it all the same. A perennial that may die back in the cool season, it will pop right back up again when the conditions are ideal – warm to hot, some shade, and some moisture in the soil.
You may see it growing prolifically as a ground cover under fruit trees. In this application it is most likely being utilized as a living mulch, keeping moisture in the ground and suppressing noxious weeds. Edible mulch? We’ll take it!
Sissoo Spinach for Eye Health!
This leafy green plant has an affinity for eye health. Rich in carotenoids, or antioxidants the body craves, sissoo spinach has earned its place at the table.
Vitamins A, K, iron, potassium, and magnesium are also found in decent amounts in sissoo spinach.
Word to the Wise
Although sissoo spinach is not in the same family as common spinach, they share a commonality that many of these tropical “spinaches” do – high oxalate content. These organic compounds found in some plant foods can bind with calcium and iron, inhibiting their absorption in the body.
Some people are more susceptible to the ill effects of oxalates, and some have no issues whatsoever. Just something to keep in mind if you are regularly enjoying sissoo spinach in your diet rotation. Add it into your diet slowly, pay attention to any adverse reactions, and don’t over indulge!
How do you eat Sissoo Spinach?
It is delicious raw or cooked, but cooking the leaves will lessen the oxalates.
Much like New Zealand spinach, raw Sissoo spinach is great in smoothies for a nutritional boost. Add it to salads tossed with a variety of mixed greens to keep things interesting. Pile on sandwiches or add to wraps for a refreshing crunch.
Use it cooked just as you would spinach. Add it to stir fries towards the end of cooking, add to soups and stews, or use it as a bed for an entree to rest on. It is also great sauted on it’s own with a little fresh lemon juice added after cooking.
Get creative and quickly saute for a pizza topping, make a homemade pesto with a combination of raw spinach and basil, add to ricotta for lasagna fillings, blanch and chop to add to a quiche or pot pie filling.
How do you grow Sissoo Spinach?
Sissoo spinach does not produce viable seeds, therefore it can only be grown from cuttings. Sissoo is a very fast grower and easy keeper. You can take cuttings from a transplant as young as 3 months old as long as it has grown out bushy and healthy.
To plant sissoo cuttings:
- Snip a 4-6 inch cutting off a mother plant
- Strip all the leaves except for the new top growth
- Plant about two inches deep in a prepared bed or container with moistened soil
- Keep evenly moist until established
Sissoo is somewhat drought tolerant but it will flourish with regular watering, the leaves will also be more tender.
A perennial, you only have to plant it once and it will come back year after year. To spread a patch of Sissoo, simply take cuttings from your plants once established and repeat the steps above.
Harvesting
The leaves can be harvested year-round once the plant is well established. In fact, harvesting or pruning back the plant encourages more growth.
Pesky Considerations
Generally disease and pest resistant, you may find yourself with a snail or slug infestation. Remove these plants and their pests, as they are probably stressed or planted too close together. Start again with new cuttings.
Where can you find Sissoo Spinach for sale?
You can possibly find Sissoo spinach at your local farmer’s markets or produce stores. To grow from cuttings, ask your local garden clubs if anyone has any growing that you can procure cuttings from. Otherwise, go online to find companies or individuals (Etsy) selling cuttings.
Grow your community. If you must go online to find cuttings, once your plants are established, offer cuttings to your gardening neighbors and local gardening groups.
Sissoo is such an easy grower, so tender and tasty, and a great incognito edible ground cover, I highly suggest you try growing it if you haven’t already. Blending beauty with function, that’s what we’re all about around here!
If you have any, share your pictures and experience growing Sissoo spinach in the comments section below. Better yet, share a recipe!
If you just learned about it for the first time today, go forth and plant. This is a great one to plant with your littles if you have any, they will love watching the fast growth and you might even get them interested in eating some fresh greens!
Until Next time,
Happy Gardening,
Mary