Malabar spinach

Scientific name: Basella alba

USDA hardiness zones:: -

A beautiful landscape ornamental, its mild flavor is enjoyed by children especially.

Also known as Ceylon, Indian, Chinese & Vietnamese Spinach, Malabar Spinach is a warm-season, tender, perennial vine usually grown as an annual. While unrelated to spinach, it has a similar taste but, unlike spinach, it is tolerant of high temperatures as well as high rainfall. Young leaves are boiled or eaten raw in salad. This Asian native tolerates high rainfall and is extremely heat tolerant. Harvest in as little as 55 days after seeding.

Medium to wet

Direct seed Malabar spinach in early March after danger of frost has passed and temperatures do not drop below 60 F (15 C), or start seeds indoors 8 weeks before last frost at 70 F (21 C). Seeds are sown 1 inch (2 cm) deep and as far apart in rows 30 inches (75 cm) wide. Germination is slow and poor so sow plenty of seed and space to 12 inches (30 cm) after germination. Malabar spinach vines grow rapidly and do better when grown on a trellis. Harvest tips of stems (6 to 8 inches/15 to 20 cm) and continue to harvest new growth throughout the season.