Eden Seeds
Spinach Ethiopian Seeds
$3.90
Unit price perBrassica carinata
Ethiopian Spinach is a remarkably resilient leafy vegetable native to the Ethiopian highlands and cultivated across East Africa for thousands of years. Also known as Ethiopian Kale and Abyssinian Mustard, it is a multipurpose Brassica grown for its nutritious leaves, edible seeds and oil.
Plants produce abundant, slightly serrated green leaves with a pleasantly robust brassica flavour. Young leaves are tender enough to use fresh, while mature leaves are traditionally cooked and are excellent steamed, sautéed or added to soups, stews and curries. Regular picking encourages fresh growth and allows multiple harvests from the same plant.
Brassica carinata is particularly associated with Ethiopian food culture, where leafy greens are an important component of traditional dishes. The seeds are also oil-rich and have historically been pressed for cooking and other household uses. More recently, Ethiopian mustard has attracted interest internationally as an industrial oil and biofuel crop.
One of the great strengths of Ethiopian Spinach is its resilience. Adapted to the Ethiopian highlands, it tolerates relatively dry conditions and poorer soils once established, although fertile soil and regular moisture will produce the most abundant tender foliage. Plants can reach approximately 1.5 m tall and produce masses of small yellow flowers that are attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.
Usually grown as an annual, Ethiopian Spinach may persist longer under favourable conditions. Its combination of vigorous growth, repeated harvests and tolerance of challenging conditions makes it an interesting addition to both productive and resilient food gardens.
Approximately 200 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Autumn to winter
Subtropics: Autumn to spring
Mild climates: Autumn to spring
Cold climates: Spring to autumn
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep directly into prepared soil or raise in trays for transplanting. Keep consistently moist while seeds germinate and seedlings establish.
Space plants approximately 30–45 cm apart for leafy production, allowing additional room if plants are to reach their full size or be grown for seed.
Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Although established plants have useful drought tolerance, regular watering encourages faster growth and more tender leaves.
Begin harvesting individual young leaves once plants are well established, leaving the central growing point intact. Regular harvesting encourages continued production over a long season.
If saving seed, Ethiopian Spinach is Brassica carinata, a distinct species from most common kales and mustards. Seed savers should nevertheless isolate it from other flowering B. carinata varieties to maintain the strain true to type.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety.
Not Available for WA
Spinach Ethiopian Seeds
$3.90
Unit price per
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Brassica carinata
Ethiopian Spinach is a remarkably resilient leafy vegetable native to the Ethiopian highlands and cultivated across East Africa for thousands of years. Also known as Ethiopian Kale and Abyssinian Mustard, it is a multipurpose Brassica grown for its nutritious leaves, edible seeds and oil.
Plants produce abundant, slightly serrated green leaves with a pleasantly robust brassica flavour. Young leaves are tender enough to use fresh, while mature leaves are traditionally cooked and are excellent steamed, sautéed or added to soups, stews and curries. Regular picking encourages fresh growth and allows multiple harvests from the same plant.
Brassica carinata is particularly associated with Ethiopian food culture, where leafy greens are an important component of traditional dishes. The seeds are also oil-rich and have historically been pressed for cooking and other household uses. More recently, Ethiopian mustard has attracted interest internationally as an industrial oil and biofuel crop.
One of the great strengths of Ethiopian Spinach is its resilience. Adapted to the Ethiopian highlands, it tolerates relatively dry conditions and poorer soils once established, although fertile soil and regular moisture will produce the most abundant tender foliage. Plants can reach approximately 1.5 m tall and produce masses of small yellow flowers that are attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.
Usually grown as an annual, Ethiopian Spinach may persist longer under favourable conditions. Its combination of vigorous growth, repeated harvests and tolerance of challenging conditions makes it an interesting addition to both productive and resilient food gardens.
Approximately 200 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: Autumn to winter
Subtropics: Autumn to spring
Mild climates: Autumn to spring
Cold climates: Spring to autumn
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 5–10 mm deep directly into prepared soil or raise in trays for transplanting. Keep consistently moist while seeds germinate and seedlings establish.
Space plants approximately 30–45 cm apart for leafy production, allowing additional room if plants are to reach their full size or be grown for seed.
Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Although established plants have useful drought tolerance, regular watering encourages faster growth and more tender leaves.
Begin harvesting individual young leaves once plants are well established, leaving the central growing point intact. Regular harvesting encourages continued production over a long season.
If saving seed, Ethiopian Spinach is Brassica carinata, a distinct species from most common kales and mustards. Seed savers should nevertheless isolate it from other flowering B. carinata varieties to maintain the strain true to type.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety.
Not Available for WA
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