Molokhia (Egyptian Spinach) in Zone 10a & 10b
Corchorus olitorius
Yes, molokhia (Egyptian spinach) grows in zones 10a and 10b. Plant it outside Feb 13–Feb 20.
When to plant molokhia (Egyptian spinach) in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 13–Feb 20 |
| Estimated harvest | Apr 4–Apr 11 (~50 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 3-5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 10b
These go outside within two weeks of molokhia (Egyptian spinach) in zone 10b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoFeb–Apr
- Sweet CornFeb–Mar
- CucumberFeb–Apr
- ZucchiniFeb–Mar
- BroccoliniJan 30–Feb 6
- Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)Jan 30–Feb 6

Molokhia solves a problem most of the greens here have: it produces through high summer, when spinach, lettuce and chard have long since given up.
How molokhia (Egyptian spinach) fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Molokhia (Egyptian spinach) needs about 50 days from sowing to first harvest.
Molokhia (Egyptian Spinach) planting windows in every zone
Zone 10b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 29–Jun 5 | Jul 18–Jul 25 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | May 24–May 31 | Jul 13–Jul 20 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | May 9–May 16 | Jun 28–Jul 5 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 24–May 1 | Jun 13–Jun 20 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Apr 8–Apr 15 | May 28–Jun 4 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Apr 20–Apr 27 |
| 10a & 10b (your zone) | Not usually | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Apr 4–Apr 11 |
| 11a & 11b | Not usually | Jan 15–Jan 22 | Mar 6–Mar 13 |
Harvest dates are about 50 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
No well-established companions for molokhia (Egyptian spinach).
Where to buy molokhia seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's molokhia seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing molokhia (Egyptian spinach)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Molokhia (Egyptian Spinach) in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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