Efo Shoko (Lagos Spinach) Seeds

A vibrant, resilient green with global roots

Also known as Lagos Spinach or Nigerian Spinach, Efo Shoko is a type of Celosia that plays a starring role in soups, stews, and side dishes across Nigeria, Benin, Congo, and Cameroon — and it's cherished in parts of Indonesia and India as well. While some shoko varieties feature solid green foliage, this particular strain shows off more vibrant coloring, with young stems and flower spikes harvested right alongside the leaves.

As a member of the amaranth family believed to have originated in Africa, this plant thrives with relatively little effort. Given adequate soil moisture, it grows readily, shrugs off most pests and diseases, and — unlike many leafy greens — actually flourishes in hot weather. The seeds we offer come from a local farmer we know, who grows shoko specifically for a Liberian customer.

Quick Facts

• Maturity: 30–60 days
• Seeds per pack: 275
• Germination: 78% (as of 06/25/2026)

Growing Tips

Seeds typically germinate within 8–14 days, followed by rapid growth. On our farm, celosia readily self-seeds year after year, and we thin seedlings to give each plant roughly 2 feet of space in all directions. Harvest flower spikes as they reach maturity, and let side branches continue blooming for a steady, ongoing harvest right up until the first frost.

Saving Your Own Seed

Celosia relies on wind for pollination, so isolate plants by at least 500 feet — or cover flowers with corn tassel bags — to prevent unwanted crossing with other celosia varieties of the same species. Seeds are ready to collect once they begin dropping naturally from the seed head, which happens after the flower fades. You can cut the entire head and hang it in a dry, well-ventilated space to finish drying and maturing, or shake the seed head directly on the plant every couple of days, since seeds along the head ripen unevenly, starting from the base and moving upward. Either approach, shake the seed head over a bucket to collect the seeds, then strain out larger debris. Finish by winnowing away the lighter chaff using your breath, a light breeze, or a fan.