Orach is an annual grown for its leaves, ready to start cutting about 45 days after sowing. It's hardy across USDA zones 2 through 11 and handles dry spells once it's established. Once it comes in, a single planting keeps producing for about a month, so you harvest over time rather than all at once.
Zones
2-11
pH Range
5-8.2
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
45
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What Orach is
Orach grows as an annual and reaches around five feet at maturity.
How to grow Orach
Orach grows in USDA zones 2 through 11 and is ready to harvest about 45 days after planting. Orach does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5 to 8.2, on well-drained to fast-draining ground. It needs around 900 growing degree days to mature and a growing season of at least 120 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
2-11
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5 - 8.2
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells), excessive (dry/moderately dry)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
37.4°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Days to Maturity
45 days
Garden orach; warm-season green; bolts in heat.
USDA-NRCS; Johnny's
GDD Required
900+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
5 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
120+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant orach in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Orach prefers pH 5 to 8.2 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at maturity
Orach is ready about 45 days after sowing (USDA-NRCS; Johnny's). Cut the outer leaves as you need them — frequent harvest keeps new growth coming.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — orach isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Orach isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data — pair it with high-value bloomers nearby to feed bees.
Where Orach thrives
On hardiness alone, orach grows across most of the country — its range (USDA zones 2 through 11) is unusually wide. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 2–11·Where Orach growsOpen map →
Continental US shown — Alaska and US Pacific territories sit outside the federal map's polygon dataset.
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Orach can grow in these states:
See if Orach will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether orach actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Orach in my zone?
Orach grows in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 11 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
How long does Orach take to grow?
Orach is ready to harvest about 45 days after planting (USDA-NRCS; Johnny's). Your local frost dates and soil temperature move that window earlier or later.
When should you plant Orach?
Most growers plant orach after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 120-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Orach need?
Orach needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Orach need?
Orach prefers soil pH 5 to 8.2, on well-drained to fast-draining ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Orach attract pollinators?
Orach isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data. Pairing it with high-value bloomers nearby keeps bees and butterflies fed.
Is Orach safe for pets?
Orach is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.