Why Growing Your Own Leafy Greens is Worth It
For anyone who enjoys a fresh salad every day, having your own supply of leafy greens in the garden can be a game changer. Many people rely on supermarket baby spinach that comes packed in plastic bags, but growing your own salad greens at home offers fresher taste, better variety, and reduced costs. With the rising prices of lettuce and packaged spinach, keeping a few different kinds of leafy greens in your garden is not only economical but also rewarding.
Not every green that is technically edible tastes good, and that is why choosing the right leafy greens is important. Some plants are beautiful but not tasty, while others give you both great flavor and stunning garden appeal. Below we look at three unique salad alternatives that stand out from the crowd — Okinawan spinach, Brazilian spinach, and Lagos spinach.
Okinawan Spinach – A Striking Perennial Leafy Green
Okinawan spinach is one of the famous and eye catchy leafy greens. Humans love this leafy green because its leaves are beautiful and in two-tone. The top is a dark green color, and the bottom is a bright purple color. It also looks nice when it blooms, with golden orange yellow flowers that liven up the garden.
Okinawan spinach does well in both full sun and light shade. However, the purple underside of the leaves looks better when grown in sunny areas. You just need to trim the tops of the plant every so often to keep it healthy and bushy. You can add these clipped pieces right to salads or boil them briefly.
Okinawan spinach has a mellow, grassy taste that goes well with other salad ingredients. Many gardeners like it not just because it looks good, but also because it can be used in many ways and provides fresh leafy greens all year long.
Brazilian Spinach – A Crunchy and Drought Tolerant Green
Another fantastic option for your garden is Brazilian spinach (Alternanthera sissoo). This plant is considered one of the easiest leafy greens to care for, especially because it is drought tolerant. Many gardeners describe it as forgiving since it survives well even if watering is inconsistent. However, giving it occasional water during hot weather enhances its crisp texture and taste.
Brazilian spinach is a ground cover plant that spreads quickly and creates a lush green carpet in your garden. Its small white flowers resemble those of ornamental Alternanthera varieties, making it both functional and decorative.
When eaten raw, Brazilian spinach has a crunchy and crisp bite, making it excellent for fresh salads. It can also be lightly steamed or stir fried. Between all the leafy greens vegetables, Brazilian spinach is the best for its satisfying crunch that gives kinds of varity in salads.
Lagos Spinach – A Self Seeding Cottage Garden Favorite
Lagos spinach (Celosia argentea) is a great plant to add to your yard if you like bright colors and edible crops. This plant isn’t technically a perennial, but it is known for self-seeding easily, which means that the gardener doesn’t have to do much to keep the luscious greens coming.
Lagos spinach is very similar to ornamental celosia and cockscomb plants. Its purple-tinted leaves and long flower spires make it very beautiful. The flowers flutter gently in the wind, giving the yard a charming cottage feel.
Lagos spinach is full in vitamins and minerals, but it has more oxalates than other leafy greens. Because of this, most people say that you should cook it before you eat it. That being said, a lot of gardeners like to eat it raw in little amounts because of its unusual taste and texture.
Comparing These Unique Leafy Greens
When deciding which of these leafy greens to grow, it helps to compare their growth habits, taste, and ease of care.
| Leafy Green | Growth Style | Taste and Texture | Best Feature | Care Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okinawan Spinach | Perennial, bushy | Mild, slightly grassy | Striking purple underside leaves | Easy, needs trimming |
| Brazilian Spinach | Perennial ground cover | Crunchy, crisp, refreshing | Drought tolerant, crunchy leaves | Very low maintenance |
| Lagos Spinach | Annual, self seeding | Slightly earthy, better cooked | Whimsical flowers, purple foliage | Easy, self seeder |
Which Leafy Green Should You Try First
If you want beautiful leafy green and consistent supply, Okinawan spinach is a undoubtedly top choice. It looks stunning and provides tender salad leaves regularly. For gardeners who prefer a crisp bite in their salads, Brazilian spinach is ideal, as it adds a unique crunch that typical salad leaves lack. Lagos spinach is perfect for those who enjoy a colorful garden and do not mind lightly cooking their greens before eating.
For most salad lovers, starting with Brazilian spinach is highly recommended because it is easy to grow, needs little care, and gives you delicious crunchy leaves almost year round.
Health Benefits of Growing Leafy Greens
Greens with leaves are nutritious for you, taste well, and look nice. They are full of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like calcium and iron. These vitamins and minerals keep your bones strong, your skin healthy, and your immune system working well. Greens that are freshly picked also have more nutrients than greens you buy at the store, which lose vitamins while they are shipped and kept.
Eating a lot of different leafy greens gives your body a variety of textures, flavors, and nutrients. Okinawan spinach, for example, has a lot of antioxidants since it is purple. Some, like Brazilian spinach, help keep you hydrated, especially in the summer, and they also provide you fiber.
Tips for Growing Leafy Greens Successfully
- Choose a mix of perennial and self seeding greens for year round supply.
- Grow them in spots with partial to full sun depending on the variety.
- Water consistently during dry weather to enhance leaf quality.
- Harvest regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent plants from becoming woody.
Frequently Asked Questions about Leafy Greens
1. What are the easiest leafy greens to grow at home
Brazilian spinach and Okinawan spinach are considered the easiest since they are low maintenance and thrive in many climates.
2. Can you eat Lagos spinach raw
Yes, but it contains oxalates, so it is healthier to cook it before eating in large amounts.
3. How do you keep leafy greens fresh after harvesting
Wash them gently, pat dry, and store in an airtight container in the fridge. They usually last up to a week.
4. Do leafy greens need full sun
Some like Okinawan spinach do better in full sun, while others grow fine in partial shade. It depends on the variety.
5. Why grow your own leafy greens instead of buying
Home grown greens are fresher, cheaper in the long run, more sustainable, and allow you to explore unique varieties not commonly sold in supermarkets.
