Hablitzia tamnoides

Also called “the Climbing Spinach” or “Caucasian Mountain Spinach,” this perennial vining green hails from the mountainous regions of the Caucasus. Its heart-shaped leaves have a mild, slightly tangy spinach-like flavor that can be enjoyed fresh or cooked. A true conversation piece in any kitchen garden, Caucasian Mountain Spinach will clamber gracefully up a trellis, offering a continual harvest of tender leaves year after year.
 
European botanists fascinated with the diverse flora of the Caucasus documented it in the early 19th century. Though it has been known in botanical collections since the 1800s, it was not widely marketed as an edible crop until specialized seed companies in Northern Europe began selling it in the early 2000s. Since then, it has slowly gained favor among permaculture enthusiasts and adventurous home gardeners.
 
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3-9.
 
Hablitzia tamnoides seeds have a natural dormancy period, an adaptation that prevents them from sprouting too soon in the fall, ensuring they grow at the right time in spring. These seeds have a naturally low 30-40% germination rate with 32% dormancy, meaning some may take longer to sprout.
 
How to Break Dormancy (Cold Stratification)
To improve germination, seeds require 15–30 days of cold, moist stratification before planting. Here are two easy methods:
 
Refrigeration Method:
Place seeds on a damp paper towel or in damp vermiculite or coconut coir, seal them in a labeled ziplock bag, and store them in the refrigerator.
Mark the date so you know when they’ll be ready to plant.
Outdoor/Cold Storage Method:
Sow seeds in plastic pots filled with potting soil or compost and place them outside, in a cold basement, or a root cellar for stratification.
 
Germination Conditions
Seeds need cool temperatures (above freezing) to sprout.
Keeping them in a cold space or the refrigerator until they germinate can improve success.
Once sprouted, protect young seedlings from hot, dry conditions, as they prefer a cool, moist environment to establish strong growth. Once estblished they can handle heat!
 
1/8-1/4tsp of tiny seeds