Skip to content

Leafy vegetables : complete list & guide

Leafy vegetables are edible plants primarily grown for their leaves, which are consumed raw or cooked. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, and are a staple in diets worldwide.

See all vegetables
A close photo of a basket of leafy vegetables

List of all leafy vegetables

A close photo of a Spinach
Leafy vegetables

Spinach

What to know about leafy vegetables ?

Master these fundamental concepts to become a successful gardener.

Name origin

Named for their edible leafy parts

Botanical classification

Various botanical families including Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, and others

Vegetable structure

Edible leaves, often broad and tender, sometimes with a fibrous texture

Leafy vegetables in details

Leafy vegetables are a diverse group of plants cultivated mainly for their edible leaves. They include popular vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, arugula, collard greens, and mustard greens.These vegetables are valued for their nutritional benefits, including high levels of vitamins A, C, and K, folate, iron, calcium, and dietary fiber. They are commonly eaten raw in salads or cooked in a variety of dishes.Leafy vegetables grow mostly as annual or biennial herbaceous plants and thrive in temperate to subtropical climates. Their leaves can vary in texture from tender and soft to slightly fibrous or crunchy.They play an important role in global diets due to their health benefits and versatility. Leafy greens are also used in traditional medicine and are increasingly popular in health-conscious diets worldwide.

Related vegetable types

A basket full of Root vegetables

Root vegetables

A basket full of Stem vegetables

Stem vegetables