Orach, otherwise known as Atriplex hortensis, is a gorgeous, annual ‘spinach’ plant from Western Asia and the Mediterranean. Apparently it was at one time more popular than spinach. I would say rightfully so as it is pretty and holds in the heat better for a longer season of harvest. The most commonly eaten part is the leaves and tender growing tips though there are references to the cooked seeds being a flour adulterant (see note about saponins)

It really is a very pretty greens plant and can be grown with other edibles or flowers to add visual appeal to the garden. Though it starts out with a wide, rumpled leaves in a rosette, it will attain a lot of height as it goes to flower and seed. Keep this in mind if you are planning an ornamental, edible display.

It’s pretty easy to grow. Just sow when it’s cool in the spring (you can succession sow throughout the year though I’m unsure of germination ease when it is very hot). Thin progressively to about 4-6 inches between plants for optimal growth. It will self seed in gardens where it is happy and is often found naturalized in North America.

According to Wild Garden Seeds, it’s a good late summer pollen source for syrphid flies and its seed-heads are becoming popular in flower arrangements. All these reasons are good ones to allow at least some of your Orach to go to seed.

Related – A Green Bounty