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Malabar spinach
Basella rubra
When regular spinach begins to fade in the heat of summer, it's time to start harvesting delicious Malabar spinach. It loves the heat. This vining plant can grow up to 8 feet long, so provide a sturdy trellis to clamber on. Bonus: The burgundy stems and heart-shape medium-green leaves make an attractive ornamental addition to the garden.
- Light:
- Sun
- Plant Type:
- Vegetable
- Plant Height:
- 5-8 feet tall
- Plant Width:
- 2-6 feet wide
Top Varieties
Basella rubra 'Malabar Red Stem' features thick red stems that twine around any support that you provide for it. Use the medium-green leaves as you would spinach.
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Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting individual leaves and tender shoot tips of Malabar spinach 55 days or so after seeding. Continue harvesting throughout the summer. The newer leaves and shoots will be more tender than mature foliage.
Begin harvesting individual leaves and tender shoot tips of Malabar spinach 55 days or so after seeding. Continue harvesting throughout the summer. The newer leaves and shoots will be more tender than mature foliage.
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We have planted this plant in our garden for three years and we love the fresh green leaves on our sandwiches. It grows well until frost here in north central GA. It does reseed it self and climbs on what ever it can get ahold of.
10/5/2011 03:12:51 PM Report AbuseI LOVE this plant. It reseeds itself each year as the berries dry up and drop the seeds from inside. I am going to try to grow some inside again this winter from all the seeds I have collected. This year I had it outside and was beautiful. I had it in a planter on a bench under a tree where the branches hung down. I put a stake up to the lower branches and it climbed up and grew along the branches to at least 8 ft. I just had it for dinner in a salad and I loved it.
9/15/2011 07:59:40 PM Report AbuseI grew this plant in pots, unfortunately the taste is very pungent. I may have done something wrong but i don't enjoy the favor. I love spinach just this variety is unappealing.
7/16/2011 09:35:44 PM Report AbuseLove this plant. Can't wait to try it!!!
4/7/2011 04:11:19 PM Report AbuseAdd your comment
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