Complete Gardening
Explore the world of leafy greens that thrive in the heat of summer, along with those that quickly wilt and bolt. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, knowing which greens can withstand the sweltering sun is key. This collection of 20 leafy greens will guide you in selecting the right plants for your summer garden, keeping it lush and productive even in the hottest months.
1. Swiss Chard
Praised for its resilience, Swiss Chard stands firm against the summer heat. This leafy green, known for its vibrant, rainbow-colored stems, maintains its flavor and texture even when temperatures soar. Perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners, its adaptability shines through.
Explore varieties like ‘Bright Lights’ and ‘Fordhook Giant’ for a colorful and productive garden. Its mild taste makes it a versatile ingredient, great for both raw and cooked dishes. Swiss Chard not only adds beauty to your garden but also offers a rich source of vitamins.
2. Malabar Spinach
Malabar Spinach thrives where others falter, loving the humidity and climbing gracefully on trellises. Unlike traditional spinach, this heat-loving vining plant offers thick, glossy leaves that add a unique texture to salads and stir-fries.
A perfect choice for gardeners seeking a tropical vibe, it’s visually appealing with its lush greenery. Whether you’re planting on a balcony or in a backyard, Malabar Spinach promises robust growth. Enjoy its slightly peppery flavor while benefiting from its rich nutrient profile, a must-have for any summer garden.
3. Sweet Potato Greens
Sweet Potato Greens, often overlooked, are a gem for hot climates. These edible leaves, emerging from the familiar sweet potato plant, flourish in the extreme heat, offering a nutritious alternative to traditional greens.
Pick the young leaves for the best flavor, perfect for steaming or sautéing. Besides their heat tolerance, they are easy to grow and maintain, making them a favorite among gardeners. Their unique taste and nutritional benefits add value to your summer meals, providing both health and flavor in one package.
4. New Zealand Spinach
Not really a spinach but a champion in heat resistance, New Zealand Spinach remains prolific when others wilt. Its small, succulent leaves adapt well to various garden conditions, making it a reliable choice for summer.
Easy to grow and maintain, it offers a mild, slightly salty flavor that complements various dishes. Its drought tolerance adds to its appeal, allowing for a flourishing garden in tough climates. Whether you’re a home gardener or a chef, New Zealand Spinach is a flavorful and practical addition to your greens.
5. Amaranth Greens
Amaranth Greens bring a burst of color and nutrition to the summer garden. Known for their vibrant reddish-purple leaves, they thrive in hot, dry conditions where other greens might fail.
These drought-tolerant plants are not only visually appealing but also packed with vitamins and minerals. Ideal for stir-fries and salads, they add a nutty taste and texture to dishes.
For gardeners seeking both beauty and resilience, Amaranth Greens are a standout choice. Their ability to grow in challenging environments makes them a valuable addition to any garden.
6. Collard Greens
Collard Greens, a staple in Southern cuisine, stand up well to summer heat. Their large, robust leaves continue to grow when the temperature rises, offering a hearty green that shines in various dishes.
Often getting sweeter after a frost, they are known for their distinctive taste and nutritional benefits. Whether simmered slowly or tossed in a quick sauté, Collard Greens never disappoint.
Gardeners appreciate their hardiness, making them a reliable choice for a diverse and productive garden throughout the warmer months.
7. Mustard Greens
Mustard Greens bring a spicy kick to your summer garden. With varieties like ‘Florida Broadleaf,’ they handle the heat while adding a bold taste to your meals.
These greens are perfect for those who enjoy a bit of spice, as their flavor intensifies with the heat. Whether used in salads or cooked dishes, they add a unique zest that’s hard to replicate. Their ability to thrive in hot weather makes them a gardener’s ally, ensuring a lively and flavorful garden during summer.
8. Kale (Certain Types)
Kale, a favorite among health enthusiasts, offers varieties that stand up to heat. ‘Lacinato’ or Dinosaur Kale and ‘Red Russian’ are among the types that resist bolting.
Avoid curly kale in summer, as it quickly bolts and loses its flavor. These heat-tolerant varieties provide a robust texture and earthy taste, perfect for smoothies, salads, and sautés. Whether you’re a kale fanatic or a newbie, these types offer a hardy, nutritious addition to your garden, thriving even in the hottest months.
9. Egyptian Spinach (Molokhia)
Egyptian Spinach, also known as Molokhia, thrives under the sun, making it a staple in hot climates. Its lush green leaves are a beloved ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine, cherished for their distinct taste and texture.
Whether used in soups or stews, this green adds depth and flavor, enhancing traditional dishes. Its heat tolerance and robust growth make it a reliable choice for summer gardens. Rich in nutrients, Egyptian Spinach not only satisfies culinary needs but also supports a healthy diet, flourishing where others might falter.
10. Moringa
Moringa, often dubbed the “miracle tree,” is a superfood that thrives in heat. With edible leaves packed with nutrients, it’s a favorite in tropical regions.
This resilient tree grows quickly, providing a continuous source of healthy greens. Whether used in teas, salads, or as a dietary supplement, Moringa offers versatility and health benefits. Its adaptability to hot climates and robust growth make it a valuable addition to any garden seeking both nutrition and sustainability.
11. Okinawa Spinach
Okinawa Spinach stands out with its vivid two-toned leaves, offering both aesthetic appeal and heat tolerance. Ideal for tropical and subtropical zones, this perennial green thrives where others falter.
Its taste, slightly reminiscent of regular spinach, pairs well with various dishes, making it a versatile choice for cooks and gardeners alike. Whether added to salads or stir-fried, it enhances meals with its unique flavor. For those seeking a hardy, attractive plant, Okinawa Spinach offers both beauty and resilience in one package.
12. Katuk
Katuk, a tropical shrub, is cherished for its nutty-flavored leaves and ability to withstand humidity. This perennial green is a staple in Southeast Asian gardens, known for its rapid growth and resilience.
Whether eaten raw or cooked, Katuk adds a unique flavor to dishes, enhancing both taste and nutrition. Its ability to thrive in hot, humid climates makes it a reliable choice for gardeners looking to expand their leafy green collection. Katuk not only enriches your garden but also offers a culinary adventure with its distinct taste.
13. Lettuce (Most Varieties)
Lettuce, while a garden favorite, struggles in the summer heat. Most varieties quickly bolt and turn bitter when temperatures rise above 75°F (24°C).
For those determined to grow lettuce in summer, heat-resistant varieties like ‘Jericho’ or ‘Sierra’ offer a glimmer of hope. However, gardeners often find it challenging to maintain quality and taste during the hottest months. Lettuce’s tendency to bolt makes it a less reliable choice for summer, requiring careful planning and selection to succeed.
14. Spinach (True Spinach)
True Spinach, beloved for its tender leaves, falters as summer days grow long and hot. This green bolts quickly, leaving gardeners with sparse, bitter-tasting foliage.
Despite its popularity in cooler months, maintaining quality spinach during summer proves difficult. Its sensitivity to heat requires strategic planting and possibly seeking alternatives for the summer garden. While not ideal for hot climates, True Spinach remains a valued crop when temperatures are mild.
15. Arugula
Arugula, known for its peppery flavor, becomes spicy and bitter in the heat. This leafy green bolts quickly as temperatures soar, leading to a rapid decline in quality.
Gardeners often struggle to keep arugula productive during summer, as its preference for cooler weather becomes evident. Despite its challenges in the heat, arugula remains a popular choice for its unique taste, best savored when grown in milder climates or early in the season.
16. Mizuna
Mizuna, a staple in Asian cuisine, prefers cool weather, making it prone to bolting in summer. Its delicate leaves quickly transform, losing their tender texture and mild flavor.
Gardeners seeking to grow mizuna must plan carefully, often opting for early or late-season planting to avoid the heat. Despite its challenges, mizuna’s unique taste and texture make it a sought-after green, best enjoyed when temperatures are kinder.
17. Tatsoi
Tatsoi, known for its compact rosettes and spoon-shaped leaves, wilts in the summer heat. A cool-season favorite, it quickly bolts, leaving gardeners with a challenge in warmer months.
This green’s preference for cooler climates requires strategic planting and protection from the sun. Despite its sensitivity to heat, tatsoi offers a delightful flavor and texture in the right conditions, making it a treasured addition to any garden when temperatures are mild.
18. Bok Choy
Bok Choy, a beloved Asian green, struggles with heat, prone to bolting and tip burn as temperatures rise. Its crisp texture and mild flavor are best preserved in cooler weather.
Gardeners often find maintaining bok choy in summer challenging, as its sensitivity to heat requires careful management. Despite these obstacles, bok choy remains a popular choice for its culinary versatility, thriving when grown in optimal conditions.
19. Endive & Escarole
Endive and Escarole, known for their bitter leaves, prefer cooler temperatures. In summer, these greens quickly turn tough and unpalatable, losing their characteristic flavor.
For those eager to grow them, cooler months offer the best conditions, allowing their unique taste to shine. These greens, while challenging in summer, provide a distinctive flavor and texture, ideal for salads and other dishes when temperatures are favorable.
20. Corn Salad (Mâche)
Corn Salad, or Mâche, is a winter green that wilts under the summer sun. Its delicate rosettes struggle in the heat, leaving gardeners with a challenge in warm climates.
Best grown in cooler conditions, this green offers a mild, nutty flavor that complements various dishes. Despite its sensitivity to heat, Corn Salad remains a sought-after choice for its taste and texture, thriving when temperatures are more forgiving.