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Spinach (Palak) (Spinacia oleracea): Iron and magnesium-packed leafy green that supports blood health, bones, and eyesight.
🔍 Quick Facts
| Common name | Spinach (Palak) |
| Other names | Palak (Hindi); Pasalai keerai (Tamil); Palakura (Telugu) |
| Scientific name | Spinacia oleracea |
| Plant family | Amaranthaceae |
| Size | 20–30 cm leafy annual |
| Native region | Central & Southwest Asia |
| Climate | Temperate/Cool |
| Ease of growing | Fast |
| Parts used | Leaves |
About Spinach
Indian "palak" is often a local beet-leaf spinach (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis), which tolerates heat better than true spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Both are rich in iron, folate and vitamin K. Palak paneer is one of India's most famous dishes. Spinach is among the fastest crops for a home garden — ready to cut in about a month.
Botanically known as Spinacia oleracea, it belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. It is native to Central & Southwest Asia and grows best in a temperate/cool climate. The parts most often used are the leaves.
Uses & Nutrition
Spinach is best known for:
- Iron source
- Eye health
- Bone health
- Immune support
- Anaemia
How to Eat & Cook It
- Cooked into palak paneer, palak dal and saag.
- Added to parathas, pakoras and smoothies.
How to Grow Spinach
| ☀️ Sunlight | Full sun to partial shade. |
| 💧 Watering | Regular; keep soil moist. |
| 🪴 Soil | Rich, nitrogen-rich, well-drained soil. |
| 🌱 Propagation | Seeds sown directly. |
| 📅 When to plant (India) | Best sown September–February. |
| 🏡 In pots / at home | Grows in any shallow trough or pot; cut leaves repeatedly. |
Precautions & Safety
- High in oxalates — people prone to kidney stones should limit it.
- High in vitamin K, which affects warfarin — keep intake consistent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Further Reading on Spinach
Written by the WhyOnPlanet editorial team · Last updated October 2026