Malabar Spinach
Basella alba
Also listed as Basella rubra, Basella cananifolia
Also known as Climbing Spinach, Creeping Spinach, Vine Spinach
Climate Match for your location
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A heat-loving tropical vine with succulent, arrow-shaped leaves and small pink or white flowers, grown primarily for its edible foliage and occasionally reddish berries. It is a productive and easy-to-grow climber that provides continuous harvests in warm climates.
Why grow it
Malabar spinach produces edible leaves continuously through warm seasons with minimal pest pressure, making it a lower-maintenance alternative to common spinach in tropical and subtropical regions. Unlike true spinach, it thrives in heat and humidity rather than cool seasons, and its climbing habit allows efficient use of vertical space in smaller gardens. The tender leaves have a mild flavor and succulent texture useful for cooked greens or stir-fries.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture until established, though mature vines are relatively drought-tolerant once their root system develops. The vine can take several weeks to reach productive size, so patience is needed before expecting substantial harvests in cooler microclimates or shorter growing seasons.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Basellaceae
Native Range
Tropical Africa and Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Climber
Vines that climb the layers above on a support.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A heat-loving tropical vine with succulent, arrow-shaped leaves and small pink or white flowers, grown primarily for its edible foliage and occasionally reddish berries. It is a productive and easy-to-grow climber that provides continuous harvests in warm climates.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Malabar Spinach grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Malabar spinach produces edible leaves continuously through warm seasons with minimal pest pressure, making it a lower-maintenance alternative to common spinach in tropical and subtropical regions. Unlike true spinach, it thrives in heat and humidity rather than cool seasons, and its climbing habit allows efficient use of vertical space in smaller gardens. The tender leaves have a mild flavor and succulent texture useful for cooked greens or stir-fries.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture until established, though mature vines are relatively drought-tolerant once their root system develops. The vine can take several weeks to reach productive size, so patience is needed before expecting substantial harvests in cooler microclimates or shorter growing seasons.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Basellaceae
Native Range
Tropical Africa and Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Climber
Vines that climb the layers above on a support.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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