Seeds Spinach, Malabar Red

Spinach, Malabar Red
(Basella rubra)

Malabar Red Spinach is a vigorous, heat-loving climbing green with striking red stems and glossy, succulent leaves. Despite its name, it is not true spinach but a tropical leafy vine prized for its mild flavor and ability to thrive in hot summer conditions when traditional spinach bolts. Both ornamental and productive, it brings vertical growth and steady leafy harvests to warm-season gardens.

Key Characteristics

• Thrives in Summer Heat
  Unlike true spinach (Spinacia oleracea), Malabar Red flourishes in hot weather and high humidity. It continues producing tender leaves through peak summer when many leafy greens struggle.
• Edible Leaves & Tender Stems
  Thick, slightly mucilaginous leaves have a mild, spinach-like flavor. Use fresh in salads (young leaves), sautéed, steamed, or added to soups and curries. The red stems are also edible and add color to dishes.
• Vigorous Climbing Vine
  Fast-growing vines can reach 6–10 feet with proper support. Ideal for trellises, arches, and fencing, allowing growers to maximize vertical space in intensive garden systems.
• Ornamental & Pollinator-Visited Blooms
  Small white to pale pink flowers form along the stems, followed by deep purple berries. The colorful stems and berries add ornamental value in edible landscapes.

Product Details

• Botanical Name: Basella rubra
• Native Range: Tropical Asia
• Plant Life Cycle: Annual (perennial in frost-free climates)
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Medium to medium-wet, fertile, well-drained
• Mature Height: 6–10 feet (climbing vine)
• Bloom Time: July–September
• Bloom Color: White to pale pink
• Days to Maturity: ~70–85 days
• USDA Hardiness Zones: Grown as an annual in zones 3–9; perennial in 10+

Direct sow after danger of frost when soil temperatures reach at least 70°F, or start indoors 4–6 weeks early. Provide sturdy vertical support at planting time. Harvest leaves regularly to encourage branching and continued growth. In permaculture systems, grow Malabar Spinach as a warm-season vertical layer alongside trellised beans or cucumbers.

Malabar Red Spinach offers heat resilience, abundant leafy harvests, and striking garden color—an excellent summer green for warm climates.