Spinach - Monstrueux de Viroflay

50+ Seeds

Monstrueux de Viroflay Spinach Seeds

Monstrueux de Viroflay Spinach (Spinacia oleracea 'Monstrueux de Viroflay') is a renowned French heirloom spinach variety famous for producing exceptionally large, dark green, heavily savoyed leaves. Often considered one of the largest spinach varieties available, this vigorous spinach is prized for its outstanding flavour, high yields, and versatility in the kitchen.

Gardeners looking for a productive cool-season crop will appreciate how quickly Monstrueux de Viroflay spinach establishes and how long it continues producing under favourable conditions. Whether harvested as baby spinach leaves or allowed to reach full size, this variety delivers tender texture and excellent taste for salads, smoothies, soups, sautés, and cooked dishes.

For more leafy greens, browse our Lettuce, Spinach & Arugula Seeds Collection.

Scientific Profile

Feature	Details
Common Name	Monstrueux de Viroflay Spinach
Botanical Name	Spinacia oleracea 'Monstrueux de Viroflay'
Plant Type	Cool-season annual vegetable
Seed Count	50+ seeds
Days to Harvest	Approximately 45–60 days
Germination Time	7–14 days
Seed Depth	½ inch (1.3 cm)
Plant Spacing	6–12 inches apart
Row Spacing	12–18 inches apart
Mature Height	8–12 inches
Leaf Type	Large, heavily savoyed leaves
Sun Requirements	Full sun to partial shade
Best Season	Spring and fall
Best Use	Fresh salads, smoothies, cooking, freezing

Spinach is widely recognized as one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables available. It naturally contains vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin. According to USDA FoodData Central, spinach consistently ranks among the most nutrient-rich leafy greens.

What Makes Monstrueux de Viroflay Spinach Special?

Monstrueux de Viroflay translates roughly to "Monster of Viroflay," a name earned through its enormous leaves and vigorous growth habit. This historic French heirloom has been grown for generations and remains popular among gardeners seeking high yields from a relatively small planting area.

Compared to many modern spinach varieties, Monstrueux de Viroflay produces larger leaves with a more pronounced savoy texture, making it ideal for both fresh eating and cooking. The large leaf size also means quicker harvesting and more production per plant.

How to Grow Monstrueux de Viroflay Spinach From Seed

Direct sow Monstrueux de Viroflay spinach seeds outdoors in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. For fall harvests, sow again in late summer once temperatures begin cooling.

For best results, sow seeds approximately ½ inch deep in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost or organic matter. Keep soil consistently moist during germination, which typically occurs within 7–14 days.

Spinach grows best in cool weather and often performs exceptionally well during spring and fall growing seasons throughout Canada. Succession planting every few weeks can provide continuous harvests for much of the season.

For raised bed growing and small-space gardening, pair spinach with crops from our Container Garden Collection.

How to Harvest Monstrueux de Viroflay Spinach

You can begin harvesting spinach once leaves reach a usable size.

For cut-and-come-again production, harvest the outer leaves first while leaving the growing centre intact. This allows the plant to continue producing fresh leaves for several weeks.

Alternatively, entire plants can be harvested once they reach full size. The large leaves of Monstrueux de Viroflay make harvesting especially productive compared to smaller spinach varieties.

Harvesting regularly also helps delay bolting and encourages continued leaf production.

Monstrueux de Viroflay Spinach Growing Stages

Stage	What to Expect
Germination	Seeds emerge within 7–14 days
Seedling Stage	First true leaves begin developing
Leaf Development	Large savoyed leaves rapidly expand
Harvest Stage	Outer leaves can be harvested repeatedly
Mature Plant	Large productive rosette forms
Bolting Stage	Warm weather triggers flower stalk production

Fertilizer for Spinach

Spinach is grown primarily for leaf production, making nitrogen-rich soil especially important. Before planting, incorporate compost or well-aged organic matter into the soil.

Consistent moisture and fertile soil generally produce better spinach than aggressive fertilization. A balanced organic fertilizer can help support vigorous growth throughout the season.

For more information, read our Organic Fertilizer Guide.

Best Uses for Monstrueux de Viroflay Spinach

• Fresh garden salads
• Baby spinach harvests
• Green smoothies
• Soups and stews
• Sautéed spinach dishes
• Pasta recipes
• Freezing for winter use
• Cooked side dishes

The large leaves make this variety particularly efficient for cooking, since fewer leaves are needed to prepare substantial portions.

Quick Planting Instructions

• Sow outdoors in early spring or late summer.
• Plant seeds ½ inch deep.
• Space plants 6–12 inches apart.
• Space rows 12–18 inches apart.
• Grow in full sun to partial shade.
• Keep soil consistently moist.
• Harvest outer leaves regularly.
• Succession plant for continuous harvests.

FAQs

What is Monstrueux de Viroflay spinach?

Monstrueux de Viroflay is a French heirloom spinach variety known for its exceptionally large, deeply savoyed leaves and excellent flavour.

How large does Monstrueux de Viroflay spinach grow?

Plants typically reach 8–12 inches tall, but individual leaves can become significantly larger than those of standard spinach varieties.

When can I harvest Monstrueux de Viroflay spinach?

You can begin harvesting outer leaves as soon as they reach a usable size, usually within a few weeks of germination. Full maturity is typically reached in 45–60 days.

Can I grow Monstrueux de Viroflay spinach in containers?

Yes. Spinach grows well in containers provided the soil remains fertile and consistently moist.

Is Monstrueux de Viroflay spinach good for cooking?

Absolutely. Its large leaves make it one of the best spinach varieties for cooking, sautéing, soups, smoothies, and freezing.

Does spinach grow better in spring or fall?

Spinach performs best during cool weather. Most Canadian gardeners achieve their best harvests during spring and fall growing seasons.

Related Products

Looking to build a productive leafy greens garden? Pair Monstrueux de Viroflay Spinach with these complementary varieties.

• Big Leaf Spinach Seeds – Vancouver Variety
• Buttercrunch Lettuce Seeds
• Arugula Seeds – Bellezia Organic