How to grow Malabar Spinach?
Note for pink stems and green leaves. Malabar spinach is a perennial vine and grown as an annual or biennial pot-herb. It prefers a hot, humid climate and moist, fertile, well-drained soil to flourish. Stem cuttings about the length of 20 cm are preferred over seeds for natural propagation and faster growth.
What is the difference between Malabar spinach and Basella alba?
Both Malabar spinach types are fast-growing vines with oval to heart-shaped leaves that are dark green and semi-succulent. The vines are vigorous and can grow up to six feet tall in one season. The main difference between Basella alba and Basella rubra is in the color of their vines.
Is Basella spinach a perennial or annual?
Basella (vine spinach) nutrition facts. Malabar spinach is a perennial vine and grown as annual or biennial pot-herb. It prefers hot, humid climate and moist, fertile, well-drained soil to flourish. Stem cuttings about the length of 20 cm preferred over seeds for natural propagation, and faster growth.
What is the best substitute for spinach?
There are a number of other plants that are grown to use as a spinach substitute. Malabar spinach, Basella alba, is a popular green leafy vegetable in other parts of the world. This tender perennial native to tropical Asia, likely India and Sri Lanka or Indonesia (hardy only to zone 10), is easily grown as an annual during the heat of summer.
See more
Does Malabar spinach come back every year?
Malabar spinach grows vertically and needs a trellis to support its fast growth. In hot climates with frost-free winters, you can grow it as a perennial, otherwise it's an annual vegetable just like spinach.
How long does Malabar spinach live?
Malabar spinach is best eaten fresh. After harvesting the leaves or stems, use immediately or store in the refrigerator where it can keep for 2-5 days. If you have a very abundant harvest, you can blanch the leaves and then freeze them.
What type of spinach is perennial?
Malabar spinach is not related to common spinach but it has a similar taste and can be cooked in the same way. Unlike common spinach, this tender perennial does well in the heat.
Should you let Malabar spinach flower?
You can continue to pick Malabar spinach as long as the plant is actively producing new shoots, all summer and into the fall, or until it begins to flower. Flowers make way for a profusion of dark purple berries. They can be used as a food coloring for whip cream or yogurt.
Can you eat Malabar spinach raw?
The succulent leaves and stem tips are rich in vitamins A and C and are a good source of iron and calcium. They may be eaten raw in salads, boiled, steamed, stir-fried, or added to soups, stews, tofu dishes, and curries.
Does Malabar spinach need a trellis?
Malabar spinach is a vigorous climbing plant that needs a trellis or other support. It will quickly overtake other plants.
Does spinach come back after winter?
Spinach is a very hardy plant, so the seeds can actually survive some light frost. That is why they can also grow back the year after falling off the original plant, even if there was some frost and snow in the winter.
Does spinach grow back after winter?
ANSWER: As long as the growing point is not damaged during the initial harvesting and the weather is still cool, spinach plants will most likely regrow for two or more harvests.
Can you grow Malabar spinach from cuttings?
Malabar spinach can be grown from either seeds or cuttings. If the stems are too tough to eat when pruning, simply put them back into the soil where they will re-root. Scarify the seed with a file, sandpaper or even a knife to speed germination, which will take three weeks or longer at temperatures between 65-75 F.
Can I eat Malabar spinach berries?
The berries from the Malabar Spinach plant are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. These berries are very juicy and have a lovely lemon flavor with a slight peppery aftertaste. These berries can be messy to eat as their juices will stain everything it touches, including your fingers.
Which fertilizer is best for Malabar spinach?
nitrogen richMalabar Spinach needs a lot of nitrogen rich fertilizers. Lots of vermicompost & cow-dung manure should be provided to the plant to produce thick, big fleshy leaves.
Does Malabar spinach grow in winter?
Malabar spinach is easily grown from the small rounded seeds. This warm season vegetable is very frost sensitive and should not be planted outdoors until a few weeks after all danger of frost has passed. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Seeds should germinate in 10 days to 3 weeks.
Does Malabar spinach grow fast?
1:324:58Learn how to grow this heat loving spinach alternative. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAreas where your growing season isn't quite as long you can start malabar spinach indoors a coupleMoreAreas where your growing season isn't quite as long you can start malabar spinach indoors a couple of weeks before your last frost.
Why is my Malabar spinach turning yellow?
If your spinach leaves are turning yellow, nitrogen is the most likely cause as it is the nutrient responsible for healthy leaf growth and chlorophyll development. Boron deficiency is also known to cause yellowing. This can also be accompanied by stunted growth if the problem persists.
Can you eat too much Malabar spinach?
You can eat these berries raw, straight off the plant, or you can cook them into a jelly or bake them into a pie. Just be careful, though, because if you are not used to eating them, they can cause a stomachache if you eat a large amount of them.
Is Malabar spinach toxic to dogs?
The short answer is yes, Basella alba is safe for dogs to eat. Basella alba, commonly called Malabar spinach, is a good source of nutrients for your pup and can improve their overall health.
How to grow Malabar spinach?
Provide consistent moisture through the season, as the plants tend to go to flower if the soil gets too dry. Although the plants can be allowed to ramble or climb other vegetation, they are best grown on a sturdy trellis when grown as a vegetable. The vines are quite attractive – particularly the cultivar ‘Rubra’ (often listed as Basella rubra) which has burgundy stems and leaves with pink veins – so could be incorporated into any ornamental landscape, such as trained onto tuteurs to provide a vertical element in a bed or border, or onto a fence or other structure. Prune the plants as much as needed by cutting off the leaves and stems to keep the desired shape or more dense growth. Try combining the vine spinach with dark-leaved basil or beets, Swiss chard with pink or red petioles, and blue-leaved kale for a dramatic edible planting. The red-stemmed type is complemented by annuals with red or pink flowers or foliage, such as coleus, zinnias, or cosmos. Pair the vine on a trellis with other tropical such as black-leaved elephant ears or cannas.
How long does it take for Malabar spinach to germinate?
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Seeds should germinate in 10 days to 3 weeks.
What is a good substitute for spinach?
There are a number of other plants that are grown to use as a spinach substitute. Malabar spinach, Basella alba, is a popular green leafy vegetable in other parts of the world. This tender perennial native to tropical Asia, likely India and Sri Lanka or Indonesia (hardy only to zone 10), is easily grown as an annual during the heat of summer.
How long does a basella alba vine grow?
Basella alba has oval to heart-shaped leaves. This fast-growing plant is a soft-stemmed, twining vine that can grow up to 10 feet long as an annual (longer as a perennial) but generally remains smaller in most gardens.
Can you grow Malabar spinach in hot weather?
Many people like to eat spinach throughout the year but true spinach ( Spinacea olerace a) doesn’ t grow well in hot weather. There are a number of other plants that are grown to use as a spinach substitute.
Can you eat basella alba leaves?
The edible leaves (and shoots) of Basella alba resemble spinach with a mild, slightly peppery flavor with a hint of citrus and are used in the same way. The young leaves can be eaten raw mixed in a green salad, and steamed or boiled to be used like cooked spinach. Because of the mucilagenous nature, it can also be used to thicken soups and stews. Some people do not like the somewhat slimy texture of the cooked leaves (reminiscent of cooked okra). The leaves can be eaten throughout the season, but once plants start flowering, the leaves become bitter.
How tall does Malabar spinach grow?
The vines are vigorous and can grow up to six feet tall in one season. The main difference between Basella alba and Basella rubra is in the color of their vines.
Where does Malabar spinach come from?
Frequently Asked Questions. Malabar spinach is a warm-weather vegetable that originates from Asia and is a common ingredient in many Asian cuisines. Its leaves, shoots, and berries are all edible and have different culinary applications. Malabar is a region on the southwest coast of India where the tropical climate provides ...
What is the color of Malabar spinach?
There are two common species of Malabar spinach: Basella alba and Basella rubra. Basella rubra is more commonly grown as an ornamental plant because of its striking purple vine color whereas the dark green Malabar spinach Basella alba is more commonly cultivated for food.
Why do Malabar spinach leaves have spots?
Because Malabar spinach thrives in warm and moist conditions, they may be susceptible to some foliar disease including fungal leaf spots caused by Cercospora beticola. This is a pathogen most commonly found on sugar beets, spinach, and swiss chard. Cercospora beticola will cause small circular or oval grey spots with a dark purple or brown ring to appear on leaves. If left untreated, the pathogen might prematurely defoliate leaves and weaken the overall vigor of your plants.
How long does it take to harvest Malabar spinach?
Malabar spinach can be harvested as early as 50 days from the time of planting or when you see a strong main stem has been established. Pick smaller heart-shaped leaves throughout the plant or snip off tender stems. Harvest frequently to help bush up the plant while leaving at least six inches of stem and leaves untouched every time. Continue to harvest weekly or until the cold kills off the plant.
What do the buds and flowers of malabar spinach give way to?
The buds and flowers of malabar spinach give way to berries. Source: Breakfast for Dinner
Why is Malabar spinach so popular?
Many grow Malabar spinach as a favorite market crop in Asia due to its resistance to pests and diseases. It’s not a fussy plant to grow in the garden which makes it a great choice for novice and advanced gardeners alike.
What is Malabar spinach?
Enjoy homegrown, nutrient-packed greens all summer long with Malabar spinach. This heat-loving tropical vine grows with gusto while its cool-temperature-loving counterparts are turning bitter and heading for the compost pile. Thanks to heart-shape dark green leaves that taste like spinach and provide calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C, this vine is both nutritious and decorative. Grow it on a sturdy trellis, and it will provide structure in the garden along with bounty for the table. It also thrives in large containers or hanging baskets.
Does Malabar spinach need sun?
Malabar spinach grows best in rich, moist, well-drained soil and full sun, although it will tolerate light shade. This plant does not like frost, nor does it perform well if nighttime temperatures consistently dip below 59°F. It requires consistent moisture to prevent flowering at summer's end, which causes the leaves to turn bitter.
Is Malabar Spinach a survivor?
I'm in zone 9a. Malabar Spinach is not a great survivor. My plants did not return from cold and they hardly make it a year in the warm. They are very susceptible to disease and lack of water. My well established plants died in the summer without irrigation.
Can basella alba be grown as an annual?
In the spring my plants grew at rapid pace and produced abundant food. In the fall they are pathetic. They are decent to grow as an annual. I prefer Basella alba (green) to Basella rubra (red). A great way to grow them is to use a hogwire cage and train them in a spiral around the cage as they grow.
What is a vine spinach?
Basella or vine spinach is a popular tropical leafy-green vegetable, commonly grown as a backyard herb in the home gardens. Vine-spinach belongs to the Basellaceae family and has two chief cultivars, Basella alba, which features green- stems and deep-green leaves, and Basella rubra with purplish stems and dark green leaves with pink veins. ...
What is the difference between vine spinach and English spinach?
It is different from English spinach (Spinacea oleracea) in that the vine spinach is a creeper with bright, broad, dark green, thick, and mucilaginous leaves.
How long does it take for basella rubra to grow?
In either case, fleshy greens and terminal, tender 8-12 inches stem harvested about 35 to 45 days after planting (about 50 days after seedling).
What is basella leafy green?
Basella is one of the versatile leafy green vegetables that appreciated in some East Asian cultures for its wholesome phytonutrient profile.
What are the nutrients in basella leaves?
Further, basella leaves are good sources of minerals like potassium (11% of RDA/100 g), manganese (32% of RDA/100 g), calcium, magnesium, and copper.
How to store basella leaves?
At home, untie the bushel, wrap the leaves in a damp cloth and place them in an air-tight zip-pouch or plastic bag, and store them in the refrigerator set at high relative humidity.
What color are basella alba flowers?
Being a vine, it requires trellising for its quick spread. It bears white or white-pink color tiny flowers depending upon the species and purple to black color berries. Basella-alba features thick, fleshy, broad, oval to heart-shaped leaves all along its vine length.
