How to Grow Claytonia
Claytonia perfoliata
Claytonia is the ultimate low-maintenance winter salad leaf. Sow from late summer through autumn for winter and spring harvests, or in early spring for a quick cool-season crop. Seeds need cool temperatures to germinate (8-12C ideal) and may be slow to start. Once growing, plants are almost indestructible, surviving hard frosts and poor soil. Harvest the distinctive disc-shaped leaves with the stem piercing through the centre. Cut-and-come-again for months of supply. Prefers partial shade and cool conditions; bolts quickly in warm weather. Self-seeds prolifically, providing free plants year after year.
In your Leaftide garden - Hardiness
- Hardy
- Season
- Cool Season
- Harvest
- Continuous Harvest
- Spacing
- 15 cm
- Height
- 20 cm
- Sow depth
- 0.5 cm
- Min. soil temperature
- 5°C+
- Start from
- Seed
- Light
- Part shade
- Water
- Low
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 5°C — typically early to mid spring. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks earlier for a head start.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Minimal feeding required. A light application of balanced fertiliser at planting is sufficient. Overfed plants produce watery, bland leaves.
- Thrives in cool, shady conditions where little else grows. Perfect winter salad crop for unheated greenhouses, cold frames, or sheltered outdoor beds. Self-seeds freely once established.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 5°C+
- Germination temperature
- 8–18°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 15 cm |
| Row spacing | 20 cm |
| Sow depth | 0.5 cm |
| Mature height | 20 cm |
| Mature spread | 15 cm |
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 5°C |
| Germination temperature | 8–18°C |
| Base growth temperature | 4°C |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Claytonia?
- Plant Claytonia 15cm apart with 20cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Claytonia?
- Claytonia is ready to harvest approximately 25 days after transplanting.
- Is Claytonia frost hardy?
- Claytonia is classified as Hardy.