Egyptian Spinach Seeds – Molokhia, Jute Greens & Saluyot

Grow a warm-season leafy vegetable with Egyptian spinach, also known as molokhia, jute greens, and saluyot. Its dark green leaves are a favorite for soups, stews, and stir-fries. Regular trimming encourages branching, keeping fresh greens within reach for repeat harvests throughout warm weather.

Crop Highlights

• Common names: Egyptian spinach, molokhia, jute greens, saluyot, and Jew’s mallow.
• Growing conditions: Warm weather and consistently moist, well-drained soil.
• Harvest: Leaves and tender shoots for cooking.
• Approximate maturity: Around 60 days under suitable conditions; growth varies with climate and care.
• Garden use: Vegetable beds, raised beds, and roomy containers.

Available Pack Sizes

Choose 100, 300, or 1,000 seeds, or weight-based packs of ¼ ounce, 1 ounce, ¼ pound, or 1 pound. This listing is for planting seeds, not live plants.

The listed bulk estimates are approximately 14,800 seeds per ounce, 59,200 seeds per ¼ pound, and 236,800 seeds per pound. Weight-based packs are sold by weight; actual seed counts vary.

When and How to Sow

Direct sow after frost danger has passed, when soil is consistently warm, approximately 75°F. In cooler climates, start indoors in a warm location and gradually acclimate seedlings before transplanting outdoors.

• Sowing depth: Approximately ¼ inch.
• Initial spacing: About 2 inches apart.
• Thinning: Thin to approximately 10 inches apart once seedlings have three sets of leaves.
• Moisture: Keep the seedbed evenly moist without waterlogging.

Seed-coat dormancy can affect emergence. Follow any pretreatment directions supplied with your seed packet; avoid an unmeasured hot-water treatment, which can damage seeds. Germination speed varies with seed condition, temperature, and moisture rather than following a guaranteed timetable.

Growing and Care

Choose a sunny, warm position with well-drained soil. Water regularly to support leafy growth, especially during dry weather. Mulch around established plants to conserve moisture, keeping mulch away from the stems. Trim growing tips as plants develop to encourage a bushier shape.

Growing in Containers

Choose a roomy pot with drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix. Allow enough room to maintain the recommended plant spacing. Place the container in a sunny, warm location and check moisture frequently, since pots dry faster during hot or windy weather. Water thoroughly when needed, let excess water drain, and do not leave roots standing in a water-filled saucer. Harvest and trim regularly to keep plants manageable.

Harvesting Leaves and Shoots

The existing growing guidance recommends beginning harvest when plants reach approximately 24 inches tall. Snip tender shoots and leaves while leaving healthy growth on the plant. Repeated light harvests encourage branching and can continue while warm growing conditions last.

Kitchen Use

Cook harvested leaves in molokhia soup, garlic-and-coriander dishes, stews, or stir-fries. Finely chopped leaves add body to soups and sauces. Wash harvested greens before use. Do not consume the supplied planting seeds unless their packaging explicitly confirms suitability for food use.

Saving Seed

Plants may produce yellow flowers followed by seed pods as they mature. Let pods dry fully on the plant when weather permits, then collect, finish drying, and store seeds in a cool, dry place. Flowering and seed production depend on the growing season and conditions.