Chaya: The Leafy Legend that Thrives on Neglect

I recently came across the concept of 'vegetable trees.' On further study, it seems it was just a unique way of saying 'perennial vegetables,' some of which are tree-like, others of which are root vegetables. Regardless, it set me on a path of seeking out more perennials and considering planting some vegetables I was less familiar with. Some, I could only find through etsy and amazon.

This past week, I received collard green tree seeds, Egyptian walking onions, turmeric rhizomes, and chaya. Apart from turmeric, I'd never heard of any of these. Collards, yes, but collard trees, no. Turns out there is a difference. Collard greens are perennial. Collard trees are perennials that will produce for 3-15 years.

Health Benefits:

Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) sometimes called "tree spinach," "Maya spinach," or "chay." It has been a staple in traditional Mayan diets and medicine for centuries. Growing 6-12 feet tall, chaya produces large, nutritious leaves that resemble spinach in taste and texture when cooked. Unlike spinach, chaya thrives in hot, tropical climates and offers a sustainable, low-maintenance source of greens that can be harvested year-round in suitable zones. Beyond its culinary appeal, chaya is celebrated for its impressive health benefits, backed by both traditional use and emerging scientific research. In this article, we'll explore the nutritional and medicinal advantages of chaya, followed by practical guidance on how to grow and care for it in your own garden.
The leaves and young shoots of chaya are packed with essential nutrients. Chaya:

• is good for muscle repair, growth, and immune function due to its 18-25% protein--higher than spinach as rivaling some animal sources
• is good for eyes, immune system, antioxidants and collagen production, thanks to being exceptionally rich in vitamins, particularly A (beta-carotene) and C.
• is good for bone strength, anemia, energy levels, cellular health, metabolism, and nerve function due to it minerals: niacin, riboflavin, phosphorous, iron, calcium, and thiamine

Other medical benefits include:

• potential management of diabetes and blood sugar levels, as shown by both traditional use and modern research
• antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
• improved circulation leading to better cardiovascular health
• lower cholesterol
• prevention of arterial plaque buildup
• folk medicine has used chaya as a diuretic, laxative, digestion aid, and detoxifier

In case you're not sold yet, there's more! It's kind of like a thneed... it has other uses, far beyond that!

• It has traditionally been prescribed for (drum roll....) kidney stones! Hemorrhoids! Acne! Eye problems! (Don't forget all that vitamin A!)
• It acts as a circulation stimulant and may alleviate symptoms of arthritis and high blood pressure.
• It stimulates lactation.
• Its high iron helps fight anemia.
• When you boil it, the cooking water retains enough vitamin C to fulfill daily requirements when used in soup or tea.
• It's great for immunity and skin health.
• It has antifungal properties that can help fight infections.
• The fiber content is good for gut health.

One word of warning: unlike many vegetables, chaya must be cooked to neutralize hyrocyanic glycosides, which, in laymen's terms, are natural toxins that may cause irritation if eaten raw. The internet did not tell me what kind of irritation, but I think something other than when people talk throughout the movie at the theater.

Boil it for 10-15 minutes, then use it in...well, whatever you want. Stir-fries, soups, teas, lasagnas, anything.

Those on heart medications should consult a doctor as interactions are possible.

Planting and Growing

Planting chaya is easy:

• Chaya seeds are often sterile, so use woody cuttings 6-12 inches long. Non-stinging varieties save you from irritating hairs on the young stems.
• It grows outdoors in-ground in USDA zones 9-11. In the cooler zones (below 9), it's best to grow them in pots indoors or in a greenhouse, as it can die back in frosts.
• It can thrive in full sun to partial shade, so it can do well as an 'understory' plant beneath other trees.
• The soil should be well-draining, but can be various soils including loams with pH 5-6
• It can handle both drought and heavy rainfall, although it does best with consistent moisture.

Planting and Care: 

• Outdoors: Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the cutting vertically, add compost or green manure and pack the soil firmly.
• For an indoor pot: Push the cutting about 2" into the soil.
• Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Spacing: 4-6 feet apart, as they'll spread to four feet wide.
• For one household, a single plant will be plenty.
• It should grow 6-8 feet in the first year.

Ongoing Care:

• Water only weekly; you can water a bit more in dry spells but don't waterlog it.
• Chaya are generally resistant to pests and disease but watch for aphids and caterpillars
• Prune regularly to harvest. You can remove up to 60% of foliage, which encourages bushier growth.
• In winter in marginal zones, mulch heavily to protect the chaya's roots.
• Harvest young leaves and shoots when they're 6-8 inches long.

With good care, a chaya can live 10-20 years without replanting! So far, my chaya look like sticks in pots, but I'm excited to see them start growing!

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