Magenta Spreen is a beautiful, nutritious leafy plant, also known as lamb’s quarters, recognizable by its magenta-pink tips that make it a striking addition to any garden. Harvested young, it offers a fresh, spinach-like flavor and is delicious raw in salads or lightly cooked in stir-fries. When mature, it grows taller and produces long floral stalks, adding structure and visual interest to flowerbeds. It is a fast-growing annual that self-seeds easily, making it a very low-maintenance crop.

Where can Magenta Spreen be grown?

This adaptable plant thrives in zones 3 to 9 and prefers full sun with well-drained soil. It is suitable for flowerbeds, vegetable gardens, and naturalized areas.

History and Traditional Uses

Lamb’s quarters have been used for centuries in many cultures as a rich and easy-to-grow food source. Found wild in several regions, this magenta-tipped variety is particularly decorative. Historically consumed as a spinach substitute, it is valued for its culinary versatility and its beneficial effects on soil fertility when left to decompose in place.

Information by Zone in Canada

Zones 8–9: Direct sow from early spring to late summer for continuous harvests.
Zones 5–7: Outdoor sowing after the last frost and in mid-summer for fall harvests.
Zones 3–4: Sow in late spring and allow the plant to self-seed naturally.

How to Grow and Harvest Magenta Spreen

Planting: Sow seeds directly 6 mm (¼ in) deep, spacing plants 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in) apart.
Watering: Water regularly during dry periods, especially when plants are young.
Harvesting: Pick young, tender leaves when they are 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 in) for best flavor.
Maintenance: Thin as needed to prevent overcrowding and encourage natural self-seeding.

Seed Saving Tips for Future Supply

Flowering: Allow some plants to reach full maturity and produce seed heads.
Seed Harvesting: Once seeds are dry and brown, shake or rub them into a container.
Drying and Cleaning: Remove debris and dry seeds completely.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Seeds remain viable for 3 to 5 years.

Certified Organic by
Islands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)