Can I regrow spinach from cuttings?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Is it possible to regenerate spinach using the cuttings process? Although spinach doesn't regrow in the same way that basil does, spinach cut-and-come-again harvesting is the best way to prolong your spinach production.I have been able to get 6 harvest cycles from one plant by cutting the outer leaves of the crown about one inch above the soil level using floral scissors.Be sure to cut an outer leaf while preserving the center crown; this is the crucial engine for regrowth!
Harvest Techniques
- 45° angle cuts prevent water pooling
- Never remove >30% of leaves at once
- Disinfect shears with rubbing alcohol
- Harvest at dawn for faster healing
Post-Cutting Care
- Apply 5-5-5 liquid fertilizer within 2 hours
- Mist cuts with seaweed extract
- Maintain 65-70°F soil temps
- Use row covers for humidity control
A customer was able to triple her yield by using fish emulsion sprays every time she cut them. The 2-3-1 NPK ratio resulted in 40% larger leaves compared to unfertilized plants. Avoid formulas high in nitrogen - they induce flowering in the crowns that are still surviving.
Light intensity dictates regrowth speed. New leaves emerged from the shade 3 days faster on LED grow light at 6500K. Rotate pots daily if using window light; lopsided growth will diminish the quality of the next harvests.
Soil microorganisms facilitate recovery. When sowing a seed, I inoculate with mycorrhizal fungi - in research trials, 22% greater biomass regrowth was documented with inoculated plants. For established crops, feed beneficial bacteria with a mix of 1 tsp of molasses and a quart of water weekly.
Hydroponics is superior to soil for regrowth. In my aeroponic system, I got 9 harvests versus 5 in soil. The mining root mass can uptake nutrients more rapidly - pH 6.0-6.5 and EC 1.8-2.2 mS/cm will result in better performance.
Read the full article: How to Grow Spinach: 7 Essential Steps for Success
