Malabar Spinach — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Basella alba |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 10–21 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 18.3–29.4 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 70–90 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 30.5–45.7 |
| Mature height (cm) | 121.9–304.8 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 45.7–91.4 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 9–11 |
| Light | Partial sun |
| Water | High |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Sow direct or start indoors 3–4 weeks before transplanting, placing seeds in warm soil after last frost and providing a trellis, fence, or other support — Malabar spinach is a vigorous twining vine that can climb 10 feet or more in a single season. Basella alba is an excellent warm-season substitute for true spinach in hot, humid climates where conventional spinach bolts; the thick, fleshy, glossy leaves have a mild, slightly mucilaginous texture when cooked and hold up better than spinach in stir-fries, soups, and curries, and the young leaves are pleasant eaten raw. It grows rapidly in full sun to partial shade with consistently moist, fertile soil and high humidity, making it ideal for gulf-coast and tropical gardens. Harvest by snipping young stem tips every 1–2 weeks to encourage bushy regrowth; the plant is killed by the first frost but self-seeds freely in frost-free zones.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0