Magenta Spreen in Zone 11a & 11b
Chenopodium giganteum
When to plant magenta spreen in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Magenta Spreen doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Dec 11–Dec 18 |
| Estimated harvest | Jan 25 '27–Feb 1 '27 (~45 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 4-6 ft.

Magenta spreen is a relative of lambsquarters and quinoa, grown as much for its looks as for eating; young leaves and growing tips carry a distinctive magenta-pink dusting that fades as the plant matures.
How magenta spreen fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free in this dataset, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Magenta Spreen.
Where to buy magenta spreen seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing magenta spreen" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Magenta Spreen in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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