Sokoyokoto Lagos Spinach
Sokoyokoto Lagos Spinach - Celosia argentea - Efo Shoko - ṣọkọ̀ yòkòtò.
Efo Shoko
ṣọkọ̀ yòkòtò.
- Annual
Full Sun
- Germination Tested November 11, 2025: 54%
- Approximately 100 seeds per packet
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A stunning dual-purpose food + flower crop that takes the heat and laughs.
From Skye, the grower: "Celosia argentea, the “plumed cockscomb”, is a common ornamental flower in the Amaranth family. But what is less known is that in some parts of the world the leaves are a staple cooked green.
This culinary variety — “Sokoyokoto Lagos Spinach” — tolerates heat and drought. Leaves can be eaten raw but are much better cooked.
Thank you to Edmund Frost, who produced our stock seed. He says that “the cooked greens have a taste and texture similar to spinach” and notes its resilience to pests and disease. I have been impressed how well it grows despite my benign neglect.
After a period of vegetative growth, the plant sends up showy spikes of pink to magenta flowers that last quite a while. I’d like to try it as a dry flower."
Lagos spinach is a culturally important leafy green from Nigeria and West Africa that's been gaining popularity on Turtle Island. It's essential for making Efo Riro, a Nigerian stew, and is one of the most important leafy greens in West Africa.
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Seeds are grown by our friend Skye at Tardigrade Seeds on Salt Spring Island, BC.
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Growing:
Transplanting recommended. Sow tiny seeds on the planting medium surface, lightly press into soil, and cover with a ~1/8” dusting of starting medium. Place on heat pad.
Start transplants ~4 weeks before you plan to put it out. Sokoyokoto wants a lot of heat, so choose your warmest location for it, and transplant once danger of frost has passed and you’re getting some decent summer warmth. May also do well in pots (I haven’t tried it). Space plants 12-18” apart.
Dry growing (growing without irrigation):
We haven’t irrigated either of the two times we’ve grown Sokoyokoto. It hasn’t seemed to struggle too much, producing a decent amount of leaves and flowers each time. Authorities regard it as having medium drought tolerance. May benefit from wider plant spacing and mulching if growing without irrigation.
Growing Instructions
Growing Instructions
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
By placing an order, customers agree to the shipping & refund policies detailed on this page.
Most orders are sent via Canada Post to keep costs low.
Shipping within Canada
We ship seeds in Canada via Canada Post's regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-4 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally letter mail takes up to 6 weeks, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.
Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery and/or tracking.
Larger bulbs and plants are usually sent via tracked flat rate box.
Shipping to the US
UPDATE FEB 2, 2026: WE ARE TAKING A BREAK ON ACCEPTING US ORDERS DUE TO ISSUES WITH USPS
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International shipping countries include: Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom. (List updated Aug 31, 2026)
This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts.
Refund Policy
Refunds: We stand behind our seeds, so if for some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please reach out to us via email and we will do our best to make it right. Please note that shipping costs are non-refundable.
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Ecologically Grown
Ecologically Grown
Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
