The installation (1) has washing assemblies (3, 4) including two conveyors (5, 12) that are provided with respective wire bands (6, 13) for draining vegetable leaves (2) i.e. salad leaves. A single layer spreading unit (8) spreads the vegetable leaves on the wire bands. Washing devices (9, 15) spray water on the vegetable leaves in drops (24). Air suction devices (25) are arranged under the wire bands to accelerate flow of water drops through the vegetable leaves and the wire bands, respectively. An independent claim is also included for a method for washing leafy vegetables.
