Water Spinach Kang Kong - Ipomoea aquatica

Water Spinach Kang Kong - Ipomoea aquatica

Water Spinach Kang Kong is a prolific leafy vegetable that thrives in hot, humid conditions. It produces tender green leaves and hollow, succulent stems with a mild flavour, making it a popular choice for stir fries, soups and Asian style dishes. Fast growing and highly productive, the stems can be harvested regularly throughout the growing season.

Packet Quantity: 10 seeds

Planting Instructions

Sowing Time:
Spring and Summer. In tropical and subtropical areas, sowing can extend into Autumn. Water spinach needs warm conditions for strong growth and is sensitive to cold and frost.

Position:
Full sun to part shade in a warm, consistently moist position. Choose a sheltered location protected from cold winds.

Soil:
Rich, fertile soil that holds moisture well. Incorporate plenty of compost or well rotted manure before planting. Water spinach can tolerate very wet conditions and performs particularly well where moisture is readily available.

Sowing Depth:
12 mm

Spacing:
Thin seedlings to approximately 30 cm apart.

Germination Time:
7 to 14 days. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination.

Harvest Time:
Approximately 7 to 10 weeks from sowing. Harvest stems before flowering for the most tender growth.

Growing Tips

Sow directly into the garden or into large containers once the weather has warmed. Firm the soil gently over the seeds and keep consistently moist while they germinate.

Water spinach is one of the best vegetables for warm, wet growing conditions. Unlike many vegetables, it tolerates very moist soil and can even be grown in containers that are partially submerged in water, provided the growing conditions are suitable.

Feed regularly with a balanced liquid fertiliser to encourage vigorous leafy growth. Keep plants well watered throughout the growing season, particularly during hot weather.

Harvest by cutting the young stems and leaves before flowering. Avoid removing the entire plant when harvesting, as leaving established growth allows it to continue producing fresh shoots.

Regular harvesting encourages new growth and can provide a continuous supply of tender stems and leaves throughout the warm growing season.