Swiss Chard is another great spinach substitute that grows well in the heat of summer.

Northern Lights Mix contains some of the intense colors of chard that we have ever seen. The 21 to 26" plants produce eye-appealing stalk colors of deep gold, snow white, deep red and magenta, all with shiny, medium green colored leaves. Mature leaves are lightly savoyed to heavily savoyed. The stalks are broad, tender, and fleshy, even at full maturity. Grows best in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade .

Add some color to your garden and kitchen. 

This Philippine plantain is one of the greatest bananas for cooking. The Cardaba is a beautiful plant with an unusual bluish-green colored fruit.

Green plantains are firm and starchy.  They are used to make plantain chips, which are popular not only in India, but also in the Caribbean. They can also be sauteed with spices amd curry leaves to make a nutritious vegetable side dish. The ripe fruit can be eaten raw, steamed or as in Kerala, they  are sliced, dipped in batter with cumin seeds and deep fried for breakfast. 

The short and stubby fruit can get fairly large. Excellent cultivar!

Persian Basil is a Middle Eastern type basil that has large silvery green leaves and a distinctive aroma of spicy citrus.Persian Basil is eaten raw usually with kebabs. It is used extensively in salads and cooked dishes as well. It is slower bolting than Italian sweet basil varieties. When it does blooms it makes an attractive cut-flower.  2015 AAS Winner. 

Reyhan is the Farsi word for this variety of Basil. 

Lawsonia inermis -  Henna is classified as a shrub or a small tree that can grow to a height of 6.5 to 23 feet (2-7 m.). It can survive in a wide range of growing conditions, from soil that is quite alkaline to quite acidic, and with annual rainfall that is both sparse to heavy. It is not cold hardy, but can be grown in a large pot indoors during winter.

The dye that is used on the skin as mehndi, comes from crushing the dried leaves. The leaves, bark, roots, flowers, and seeds are also used to treat diarrhea, fever, leprosy, burns, and much more.

Henna thrives in dry environments with poor soil.

Plants are approximately 7-8 inches long. 

Amaranthus Polygonoides 

 Siru keerai, is another spinach substitute popular in Tamil Nadu. The leaves are smaller and pointier than Arai keerai and consuming it has cooling properties.

It goes well combined with dal or as a poriyal.  Easy to grow, simply sprinkle tiny seeds on the surface of the soil.

Seed color: Black 

Amaranthus dubious

Araikeerai or spleen amaranthus is a variety of amaranthus popular in Tamil Nadu. A delicious substitute for spinach and an essential ingredient in preparation of Masiyal, it has medicinal qualities especially for post partum and lactating women.

Keerai leaves are high in vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, potassium, and folate. They also contain iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Keerai leaves can be used both raw or cooked, such as stir-frying, steaming, sauteing, and boiling. They can be added to salads and are commonly used in soups, stir-fries, rice dishes, dals, and curries.

Easy to grow, simply sprinkle seeds on the surface of soil.

Seed color: Black