How to Grow Palak at Home in Pots | How to Grow Spinach

Learn everything on How to Grow Palak at Home in Pots to have an unlimited supply of this superfood from your kitchen garden!

The scientific name of Spinach or Palak is Spinacia oleracea. It is a leafy green that is used as a vegetable in many parts of the world. This is a superfood rich in iron and calcium. 91% of raw palak is water and does not contain any fats, making it a favorite of health-conscious people. This article is going to tell you all about How To Grow Palak in Pots at home.

Common Names: Vashala Cheera, Malabar spinach

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How to Grow Palak at Home in Pots

It is pretty easy to grow palak in pots at home. It is an annual plant that can grow up to 1 foot tall. The leaves of palak are broad and oval.

Propagating Palak

You can propagate this plant from seeds by planting them either into the seed tray or directly into the containers. You can also get a plant from a nearby nursery. Based on the growing conditions and the variety, it will take the seedlings up to 5-14 days to germinate. Let the seedlings reach a three leave size before you transplant it into the pots while growing the plants from seeds.

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Requirements for Growing Palak

Choosing a Pot

You have to choose a deep container, at least 6-8 inches, for growing palak. Choose a pot that is wide rather than deep with good drainage. You can also select the wooden crates, boxes, or window boxes as they are pretty wide in shape.

Spacing the Plants

Keep a distance of at least 3-4 inches. You can increase or decrease the spacing according to the desired leaf size. A gap of 5-6 inches between plants is good if you wish to have broad leaves. You can also reduce the space to have fresh veggies.

Positioning the Pots

When growing palak in tropical and subtropical areas like India, it is better to keep the plants in a place where they get enough shade, as the temperature in these places can rise to a level that can harm the leaves. So, choose a spot where the plants get partial sunlight. Avoid keeping them in areas that receive harsh, direct sun.

Soil

Loamy soil, having a slightly crumbly texture and rich in organic matter, is ideal for growing palak. You can also use a good quality potting mix as well. It is essential to have well-draining soil, when it comes to growing palak, as waterlogging soils can rot the plant’s leaves.

Watering

Make sure that the soil and container for growing the spinach are well-draining. As the waterlogged soil can develop fungal diseases. Also, while watering the plants, avoid wetting the leaves as it can cause infections. Water the plants only when the topsoil dries.

Temperature

Palak can grow in both low and high temperatures. The ideal soil temperature for growing them is 10-27°C. Although some varieties can tolerate temperature as low as -6 °C. Also, you need to provide your plants with shade once the temperature starts to rise in summers.

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Spinach Plant Care

Fertilizers

If you wish to grow an organic spinach plant and provide the extra nutrition, you can use well-rotted cow manure. You can also provide your plants with a nitrogen-based fertilizer at the time of planting.

Mulching

Mulching spinach plants is a good idea, as it helps retain the moisture in the soil during the days with high temperatures.

Diseases and Pests

It is easy to control the pest and disease when you are growing spinach in pots, as they occupy only a small space. Although keep an eye for common garden pests and insects like aphids, caterpillars, and slugs and remove them on time before they do serious damage to your plants.