A fascinating and unusual plant to grow as it will grow to 2m (6ft) in one season producing leaves which are tinged magenta when young. It is commonly cultivated in Central America and Mexico where it is a valuable vegetable crop.

The young leaves can be eaten raw in salads where their magenta colour make an attractive addition, or when older they can be cooked as spinach, or in melted butter when they will keep their magenta colour. 60% of the foliage can be harvested without damage, in fact, it will become bushier and healthier when heavily cropped. Plant out after danger of frosts in well composted soil in sun or partial shade. At the end of the season it will produce silvery seed pods which can either be saved and the seed sown the following season, or they can be left to self seed.

Height 2m (6ft), spread 60 - 90cm (2 - 3ft).

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