De Lier, The Netherlands
April 24, 2026
For growers of organic spinach, reliable varieties are essential; they have to perform well under varying conditions. Rijk Zwaan has published an updated leaflet presenting familiar and also new spinach varieties that have all proven themselves in terms of resistances, yield and product quality. Here, Crop Coordinators Wim in ‘t Groen and Filip Hermans discuss a number of them, highlighting their strengths for various growing seasons and organic sales markets in Europe.
Galago RZ: a safe choice
According to Wim, crop co-ordinator at Rijk Zwaan for baby leaf and oriental spinach, the new Galago RZ variety is ideal for cultivating baby leaf spinach organically in Spain during the winter months. The variety is also suitable for the first and last sowings in Northern Europe. The fast-growing variety has large, glossy, oval leaves that enhance its visual appeal. “It’s a safe choice for organic growers thanks to the complete Pe:1-20 resistance package against downy mildew (Peronospora effusa). Another important factor for growers is its high resistance against Stemphylium vesicarium (Sv). This fungal disease is becoming more active in Europe.”
Reindeer RZ: increased certainty
Another newcomer is Reindeer RZ, which likewise has high resistance against Pe:1-20 and Sv. “These optimal resistance levels give organic growers increased certainty,” Wim continues. “Thanks to its rapid pace of growth, this is another variety that is suitable for winter cultivation in southern Europe. And with its large, uniform leaves, it is a high-yielding variety.”
Boomslang RZ: broad set of resistances
The relatively new variety Boomslang RZ is a good choice for organic baby leaf crops in Northern Europe and Spain in spring and autumn, and for tunnel cultivation in Southern Europe. Wim: “This is yet another variety with a broad set of resistances against both downy mildew (Pe:1-20) and Sv,” he explains. Additionally, this is a high-yielding variety with semi-savoy leaves and an attractive appearance.
Cabezon RZ: high resistance against Sv
For early and late-summer baby leaf crops in Northern Europe, Wim recommends Cabezon RZ. “This variety has upright growth and dark green, glossy, oval leaves. It is highly resistant against leaf diseases and also against Sv and downy mildew. But I advise growers to choose a different variety for the main summer period.”
Spinach for processing: summer cultivation
The cultivation of organic spinach for the processing industry has a different dynamic. Most processing companies are based in the Netherlands, Belgium and France, with much of the organic spinach production concentrated in the Dutch province of Flevoland. “The young, fertile soil of the polders makes it a very suitable region. Organic spinach is mainly cultivated in the summer, in line with the industry’s desired timing,” says Filip Hermans, crop co-ordinator for spinach for processing.
Silverwhale RZ: a fast starter
The summer variety Silverwhale RZ is a good solution for those organic growers. Filip explains why: “The variety gets off to a fast start, which gives weeds less chance to take hold. It offers harvest reliability and has a good leaf colour, plus it has a broad set of PE resistances. Incidentally, the pressure from downy mildew is relatively low in the Dutch polders, partly thanks to extensive crop rotation. This variety is popular among organic growers.”
Boa RZ: vigorous type
Another strong summer variety is Boa RZ, which has long been the most popular choice among growers of organic spinach for processing. “It’s a vigorous variety, and that’s essential in heavy clay soil,” explains Filip. “Moreover, Boa germinates easily and roots in quickly. This allows growers to start mechanical weed control sooner, which increases the chances of a successful crop.” The variety is also productive and slow to bolt.
Discover the assortment
Want to know more about Rijk Zwaan’s varieties for organic cultivation?
Click here to request our new leaflets and explore our range of organic and non-chemically treated seeds.
Our seeds are sold through over 30 local subsidiaries. For the local seeds assortment in your country and availability of organic varieties, please visit your local Rijk Zwaan website.
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