Online Edible Plants - Leafy Greens

Betel Leaf   Brazilian Spinach   Ceylon Spinach   Cranberry Hibiscus   Egyptian Spinach   Kangkong   Katuk Sweetleaf
Lebanese Cress   Lettuce   Moringa   Mushroom Plant   Okinawa Spinach   Peruvian Parsnip   Rocket - Wild   Rock Samphire
Sambung Nyawa   Sheep Sorrel   Sorrel   Summer Leafy Greens Pack   Surinam Spinach   Tahitian Spinach   Vap ca Houttuynia
Vegetable Fern

Leafy greens are available seasonally. These are hardy perennial plants mainly suitable for warmer temperate, sub-tropical and tropical areas. Gardeners in cooler areas should only order in spring. Some of the plants are also available as seed.

Preparing your planting area ahead of time is very worthwhile - for detailed growing notes, click the link next to each plant.
List of all plant growing information

Betel Leaf UT
Piper sarmentosum
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
An evergreen, perennial creeper with shiny heart-shaped leaves. It is used raw in a salad or as a wrapping for snacks, the older leaves can be steamed or stir-fried. Suitable for subtropical and tropical areas only. More info on growing betel leaf...

Provided as tubestock.
GB102
GB105Save $1.90

Brazilian Spinach UT
Alternanthera sissoo
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. poor man's spinach, samba lettuce, sissoo spinach.
A low growing perennial leaf vegetable, which forms a neat mound. It is used cooked as spinach substitute. Suitable for subtropical and tropical areas only. This is a good tasting wet-season green leafy vegetable. This is one of those plants often mentioned in garden magazines but rarely available for sale. More info on growing Brazilian spinach...
Provided as tubestock.
GB100
GB103Save $1.90

Ceylon Spinach UT
Basella spp
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. malabar spinach.
Attractive climbing vegetable, leaves are rich in vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll, eaten raw or cooked; perennial in the tropics. Suitable for subtropical and tropical areas.

Provided in mini pots.
GC112
GC113Save $1.90

Are you looking for Ceylon spinach seed?

Cranberry Hibiscus UT
Hibiscus acetosella
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. African rosemallow, false roselle, maroon mallow, Florida cranberry.
A short-lived perennial shrub for the subtropics and tropics; grown as an annual in cooler climates. It has deeply cut, cranberry red, edible leaves that can be used raw or cooked. More info on growing cranberry hibiscus...

Provided as tubestock.
GC109
GC120Save $1.90

Egyptian Spinach

UT
Corchorus olitorius
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. molokhia, malu khia, melokheya, meloukia, salad mallow, West African sorrel.
Egyptian Spinach is an attractive bright plant with small yellow edible flowers. It is a very hardy, fast growing, annual leafy green to 1 metre tall. It is highly nutritious, medicinally useful and a good chook forage. The young leaves are used in salad, older leaves and the shoot tips are cooked as spinach and are high in protein. The young pods are also edible. It self-sows readily. Suitable for warm temperate, subtropical and tropical areas.
Provided in mini pots.
GE102

Are you looking for Egyptian Spinach seed?

Kangkong UT
Ipomoea aquatica
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. water spinach.
Ground-hugging, Thai vegetable that likes moist soil; young leaves, stems and tips are delicious cooked in a stir-fry or steamed. Sow spring and summer. Suitable for subtropical and tropical areas.
Provided in mini pots.
GK101
GK103Save $1.90

Are you looking for Kangkong seed?

Katuk Sweetleaf

UT
Sauropus androgynous
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Katuk Sweetleaf is a perennial, shrubby plant with small red flowers and purple fruit. It can grow to 2 metres tall. A popular vegetable in Asia it is often grown as a hedge around rice paddies. The tender leaves have a pea-like flavour and are 49% protein. Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads; older leaves, small flowers and pea-size fruits are steamed. Add to stir-fry, egg and rice dishes, soups or casseroles. It is suitable for subtropical (frost-free) and tropical areas only and enjoys partial shade to full sun.
Provided as tubestock.
GK105
GK106Save $1.90

Lebanese Cress UT
Aethionema cordifolium
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. stonecress.
Lebanese Cress is a low growing to 25 cm high, spreading, perennial herb which is very easy to grow. It likes moist conditions and partial shade. It makes an attractive ground cover with fern-like leaves but be aware it can cover quite a large area so don't plant it where it will become a problem. If space is limited grow it in a pot or saucer. It is a good addition to salads, can be used as a garnish or in soups.
Provided in mini pots.
GL114
GL119Save $1.90

Lettuce 'Darwin' H UT
Lactuca sativa
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS, VIC or WA
'Darwin' lettuce is the most useful lettuce we grow. It is a compact, light-green, oakleaf type lettuce that is particularly suited to hot areas. It is slow to bolt, hardy and heat resistant. Loose leaf lettuces are useful to 'cut and come again', as you can just pick leaves as required. Keep the plants mulched so the leaves stay clean. If allowed to flower and the seeds are spread around the garden it will readily self-sow and you may never need to sow lettuce again.

Available as seed...

Lettuce 'Timor' H UT
Lactuca indica
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
syn. Indian Lettuce
Indian Lettuce is a close relative of lettuce but grows faster, taller and is hardier to hot temperatures and high humidity. It will grow across a wide climate range from cooler areas to the tropics. It is a fast-growing, upright leafy green that can grow as high as 2 m. It has a semi-perennial habit and can be cut back after flowering to re-shoot. It will grow in full sun, but plants grown in partial shade will produce larger, more tender leaves. Very young, tender leaves are eaten raw in salads, older leaves can be cooked like spinach. The leaves have a somewhat bitter flavour, closer to chicory than lettuce. It is also used in traditional medicine. It self-sows readily and care should be taken to avoid weediness. A useful plant for poultry forage systems. In temperate areas sow late spring; in subtropical and tropical areas sow all year. Seed germinate best between 20 - 26°C soil temperature. Seed takes 4 - 10 days to germinate.
Provided in mini pots.
GT100
GT102Save $1.90

Available as seed...

Moringa H UT
Moringa spp.
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. horseradish tree, drumstick tree, ben tree, miracle tree.
A hardy shrubby tree with fern-like leaves and white, fragrant flowers. The pungent roots are used as a substitute for horseradish; young leaves are eaten as cooked greens and the immature pods are cooked like okra. Suitable for subtropical and tropical areas. More info on growing moringa
Provided as tubestock.
GH103
GH105Save $1.90

Mushroom Plant UT
Rungia klossii
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. acanth spinach, kenkaba, moku, shombay, tani.
Native to Papua New Guinea, this is a superb tropical green. It is low growing and attractive and will tolerate partial shade. It gets its common name from the slight mushroom flavour of the leaves. The dark green, shiny leaves are ornamental with a lighter marking. The leaves are nutritious, containing iron, Beta-carotene and vitamin C. The leaves and stems are eaten raw in salads or cooked as a green vegetable in stir-fries. Mushroom Plant will tolerate most soils although it prefers a moderate to rich loam, it dislikes waterlogging. It will survive light frosts with only slight damage. This plant is rarely available for sale. More info on growing Mushroom Plant...

Provided as tubestock.
GM100
GM103Save $1.90

Okinawa Spinach UT
Gynura crepioides
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn hong tsoi, Okinawa lettuce.
Okinawa spinach is a dense, low growing plant to 70 cm high. Easily the most low maintenance perennial leaf vegetable; it is a hardy plant and relatively pest-free. Thriving in warm, wet conditions Okinawa spinach does best in subtropical and tropical areas; it is sensitive to frost. An attractive plant with shiny leaves that are green on top and purple underneath; the flowers are very small and orange. It grows best in full sun to partial shade. It needs ample water, rich, fertile well-drained soil that is kept mulched and prefers a pH of between 6.1 and 6.5. More info on growing Okinawa Spinach...
Provided as tubestock.
GO103
GO104Save $1.90

Peruvian Parsnip UT
Arracacia xanthorrhiza
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn Andean parsnip, apio criollo, arracacha, arrecate.
A perennial root vegetable, native to the Andes in South America, is suited to many areas of Australia. It produces large creamy-white roots similar in size to a carrot with a delicious flavour. The tops can be used in a similar way to celery. Suitable for warm temperate to subtropical areas in well-drained soils.
More info on growing Peruvian parsnip...

Provided as tubestock.
GP100

Rocket - Wild 'Sylvetta'

UT
Diplotaxis tenuifolia
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS, VIC or WA
Syn. roquette, selvatica.
Wild Rocket is a completely different plant to standard rocket. It is a perennial salad plant with a piquant, peppery flavour. It has dark green, deeply indented leaves with small, yellow, edible flowers.
The plant tends to sprawl, so needs a bit of room; it may self sow. It is more heat and cold tolerant than standard rocket so will produce a leaf harvest over the summer months. It is a tasty addition to salads and can also be added to stir-fries. It prefers a moderate to rich loamy soil. It will grow from full sun to partial shade. Keeping the soil evenly moist will ensure tender leaves that are not too spicy.
Provided in mini pots.
GW137
GW138Save $1.90

Available as seed...

Rock Samphire UT
Crithmum maritimum
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. sea fennel.
Rock Samphire is an aromatic perennial herb native to European coastlines. It is an attractive low growing shrub with fleshy, green-blue leaves. It is particularly drought tolerant and copes with soils with high salinity. It grows as a low mound to 60 cm high with a spread of 0.5 - 1 m. It needs to grow in full sun, in a well-drained soil, as it dislikes wet feet. The leaves are traditionally boiled and then pickled. The young tender leaves can be used as a garnish.
Provided as tubestock.
GR138
GR139Save $1.90

Sambung Nyawa UT
Gynura procumbens
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. mollucan spinach, leaves of the gods, akar sebiak, daun dewa, kelemai merah, bai bing ca, longevity spinach.
Sambung is a bushy perennial plant to 80 cm high with yellowish orange thistle-like flowers, it is a close relative of Okinawa Spinach. It needs regular trimming to make the plant bushy. The leaves are green and fleshy and said to taste like green beans. The young leaves and shoots can be eaten fresh in salads or steamed like spinach. Sambung traditionally has many medicinal uses and is reputed to extend life which is why it is called 'Leaves of the Gods'. It is also a useful forage plant for poultry. It grows well in partial shade in the subtropics and tropics. In temperate areas it would need winter protection.
Provided as tubestock.
GS167
GS168Save $1.90

Sheep Sorrel UT
Rumex acetosella syn. Acetosella vulgaris
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. sour dock, sour weed, red sorrel, field sorrel, common sorrel.
Sheep sorrel is a perennial creeping herb in the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) with small lance-shaped leaves. Spikes of tiny, yellow flowers develop into small reddish-brown seeds. The plant reaches a height of 30 cm when in flower. It is popular as a 'wild forage' herb for its zingy sour lemon taste and attractive leaf shape. The leaves, rich in vitamin C, can be added to a salad, sauces and soups. Sheep sorrel, like garden sorrel and rhubarb, are high in oxalic acid and should be avoided by people who are prone to kidney stones. Sheep sorrel can be very weedy and is best planted in a container as it will take over a garden bed. It can also be planted in food forests as a wild harvest.

Provided in mini pots.
GS217
GS218Save $1.90

Sorrel - Garden 'De Belleville' UT
Rumex acetosa
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. common sorrel, english sorrel.
'De Belleville' is a French heirloom cultivated since the 1600's. A perennial plant with arrow-shaped, pale green leaves to 8 cm long. The flavour is tangy and lemony, the texture is smooth and crisp. Use it as a salad green or to add zest to fish, eggs or potatoes. Traditionally the French use it in soup and in Greece it is mixed with spinach to make spanakopita. Nutritionally it contains vitamins A and C; minerals calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.

Are you looking for Sorrel - Garden 'De Belleville' seed?

Sorrel 'Red Vein' UT
Rumex sanguineus
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
'Red Vein' has bright green leaves with contrasting dark red stems and veins. It is a herbaceous, hardy perennial to 30 cm high. The flavour is sharp, tangy and lemony, the texture is smooth and crisp. It is mainly used as a salad green or baby leaf as the older leaves become tough. It also makes a beautiful garnish. Choose a position in partial shade; preferred soil is fertile and well drained.

Provided in mini pots.
GS146
GS147Save $1.90

Available as seed...

Summer Leafy Greens Pack
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
1 tubestock each of:
Brazilian Spinach,
Mushroom Plant and
Surinam Spinach.

Provided as tubestock.
GS126 Save $1.90

Surinam Spinach UT
Talinum triangulare
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. waterleaf, Surinam purslane, Philippine spinach, Florida spinach.
Surinam spinach has bright green, slightly tangy, crunchy leaves and dainty pink flowers. It is related to purslane and so contains oxalic acid. It is ornamental enough to use in a flower garden. Use it raw in salads or tossed in at the end of a stir-fry. Although it is an annual it self-sows quite readily and will root very easily from stems just stuck into the ground, so it is easy to keep a continuous supply. It is a low bushy plant between 30 and 100 cm tall. It grows and thrives in partial shade and high soil moisture. More info on growing Surinam spinach...

Provided as tubestock.
GS119
GS127Save $1.90

Tahitian Spinach UT
Alocasia esculenta syn. Colocasia esculenta
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
syn. celery stem taro.
This particular taro is grown for its yield of edible leaves and stems rather than its roots. The leaves and leaf stems are eaten as a cooked, green vegetable; the cooked stems are widely used as a celery substitute in tropical areas. Taro should never be eaten raw. This hardy plant is widely adaptable in subtropical and tropical areas. More info on growing Tahitian spinach...
Provided as tubestock.
GT111
GT117Save $1.90

Vap ca Houttuynia UT
Houttuynia cordata
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. fish plant, fish mint, heart leaf, fishwort, diep ca, swamp pepper.
Vap ca is an herbaceous perennial plant native to Southeast Asia that grows in moist, shady positions. It is a trailing plant with heart-shaped leaves and small white flowers that grows to a height of 15 - 30 cm. It is commonly grown as a leaf vegetable and is used as a fresh herbal garnish. The leaves have an unusual, pungent taste that is often described as 'fishy' and are at their best in spring. The rhizomes have a fresh peppery flavour and are also eaten. It prefers to grow in a moist, shady position. Vap ca spreads like mint, rooting from each node so it is best grown in a hanging basket or large saucer. It will become invasive if planted in a garden bed.
Provided as tubestock.
GV100
GV101Save $1.90

Vegetable Fern UT
Diplazium esculentum
Not to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS or WA
Syn. paco fern, pak goot (Thai), paku (Phillipines), kuware-shida (Japan).
The Vegetable Fern is an attractive plant to 1 metre high with lush green leaves. It is native to South Asia and Oceania and is a warm-climate plant and frost sensitive. The young tender fronds (syn. fiddleheads or croziers) are harvested to use in stir fries and other vegetable dishes. As the ferns evolved as a forest under-storey they prefer shady, moist conditions. As the ferns spread very vigorously by rhizomes it is important to plant them in an area where this won't cause problems or in a container. The fronds are nutritious, high in beta carotene, other vitamins and minerals.
Provided as tubestock.
GV116
GV117Save $1.90