Purple Orach (Mountain Spinach), Heirloom Seeds

Purple Orach (Mountain Spinach), Heirloom Seeds — The Alpine Native With 3x the Vitamin C of Spinach

Purple Orach (Atriplex hortensis) is native to the Alps — a deep purple mountain spinach with spinach-like qualities and an extraordinary nutritional profile: three times the vitamin C of spinach. An annual species growing to 5 feet at maturity, Purple Orach is used as a warm-weather salad green when spinach has bolted. Cut as young seedlings or pick leaves as the plant matures — best salad quality comes from the first 18 inches of growth. The mature plant is highly ornamental, with seed bracts appearing in the same deep purple as the leaves. Excellent for microgreens, salads, and cooking. 46 days.

Why Grow Purple Orach?

• 3x the vitamin C of spinach — extraordinary nutritional profile
• Native to the Alps — a genuine mountain green with centuries of use
• Deep purple throughout — leaves, stems, and ornamental seed bracts all the same color
• Warm-weather spinach substitute — thrives when spinach has bolted
• Excellent microgreen — fast, flavorful, and beautiful
• Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year

Growing Notes

Direct sow outdoors in early spring or fall. Sow seeds ½ inch deep, 3–4 inches apart, in rows 12–18 inches apart. Thin to 6 inches. Full sun to part shade. Keep soil consistently moist. Harvest at 18 inches for best salad quality. 46 days to full maturity.

Days to maturity: 46 days
Plant height: Up to 5 feet
Packet size: 0.5 g / 100+ seeds
Type: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated, Annual
Sun: Full sun to part shade
USDA Zones: All U.S. zones