Molokhia (Egyptian Spinach) in Zone 11a & 11b
Corchorus olitorius
Yes, molokhia (Egyptian spinach) grows in zones 11a and 11b. Plant it outside Jan 15–Jan 22.
When to plant molokhia (Egyptian spinach) in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b 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 | Jan 15–Jan 22 |
| Estimated harvest | Mar 6–Mar 13 (~50 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 3-5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 11b
These go outside within two weeks of molokhia (Egyptian spinach) in zone 11b, so one planting day can cover them.
- AchiraJan 15–Jan 22
- Birdhouse GourdJan 15–Jan 22
- CucamelonJan 15–Jan 22
- JicamaJan 15–Jan 22
- MaukaJan 15–Jan 22
- Vegetable AmaranthJan 15–Jan 22
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 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Molokhia (Egyptian Spinach) planting windows in every zone
Zone 11b 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 | Not usually | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Apr 4–Apr 11 |
| 11a & 11b (your zone) | 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)
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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 11b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Molokhia (Egyptian Spinach) in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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