Organic 'Huauzontle Red Aztec Spinach'
Chenopodium berlandieri.
Product code : GAIAS-0263
Organic 'Huauzontle Red Aztec Spinach' (Chenopodium berlandieri) from Gaia Seeds, an ancient Aztec crop that is nutritious, versatile and vibrant
Aztec red spinach, or huauzontle , is an ancient pre-Columbian plant that was once a staple in the Aztec diet. Its vibrant red leaves offer a mild flavor and can be eaten like spinach, while its broccoli-like flower buds are delicious steamed . The sweet and nutritious seeds , richer than quinoa, can be cooked as a grain or ground into flour , making huauzontle a complete edible plant. Very easy to grow, hardy, and resilient, it brings as much nutritional value as ornamental beauty to the vegetable garden.
Spread/Habit : Upright, bushy
Plant height : 60 to 120 cm
Quantity per packet : 60 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Ancient Aztec cultivation, edible red leaves, broccoli-like buds, sweet and nutritious seeds, very versatile
Leaf color : Bright red
Texture/flavor : Soft leaves, broccoli-flavored buds, sweet seeds
Cold tolerance : Down to -10°C
Resistant to deer (undocumented → leave blank)
Farming method
Sow directly outdoors in early spring after the last frosts, or start indoors 4 to 6 weeks before planting .
Bury the seeds 6–12 mm (1/4 to 1/2″) deep in well-drained , moderately fertile soil.
Place in partial sun / partial shade (level 2) with light watering (level 1).
Germination in 5 to 15 days between 10 and 30 °C , optimum 18–24 °C .
Space plants 15 cm apart and rows 60 to 90 cm apart.
Harvesting and preservation
• Leaves : Harvest young for a milder taste.
• Flowering buds : Pick them just before flowering and steam them.
• Seeds : Allow the panicles to dry completely before harvesting, then store them in an airtight container in a dry place.
Usage ideas
• In sautéed red spinach or in salads
• Steamed into tender broccoli-like buds
• In Aztec-style flatbreads or tamales
• A cereal similar to quinoa
• As flour for bread, tortillas or porridge
• As a nutritious ornamental plant
Aztec spinach 'Huauzontle' is an ancient, colourful, nutritious and multifunctional plant, ideal for curious gardeners and lovers of traditional varieties from the Americas.
Practical guide
How to use it
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
01 Comment conserver les semences de Épinard aztèque Huauzontle Red Aztec Spinach avant le semis?
02 Comment semer Épinard aztèque Huauzontle Red Aztec Spinach?
03 Quelles conditions favorisent la germination de Épinard aztèque Huauzontle Red Aztec Spinach?
04 Où installer Épinard aztèque Huauzontle Red Aztec Spinach au jardin?
05 Quand et comment récolter Épinard aztèque Huauzontle Red Aztec Spinach?
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