Red Malabar Spinach
Basella rubra
A spinach substitute that beats the heat!
A beautiful and tasty heat-tolerant edible ornamental. Although not technically a spinach, the succulent leaves are wonderful cooked or raw, and make a delicious spinach substitute at the height of summer. Red Malabar’s vigorous vining habit, gorgeous red-purple stems, sweet pink flowers, and rich purple-black berries are very attractive; grow this vine for a quick privacy screen or as part of an edible landscaping plan. The berries are edible (although not super flavorful), and they make a wonderful deep-purple dye for food or textiles.
from $3.50
| Unit | Price | Quantity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75 Seeds | $3.50 | In Stock | |
| 225 Seeds | $6.50 | In Stock | |
| 1 oz | $12.95 | In Stock |
Direct sow 6" apart as soon after all danger of frost has passed, or start indoors 5-6 weeks before. Provide support for the vigorous vines to climb. Pinching back the vine tips encourages branching. Leaves can be harvested individually throughout the season and cooked or eaten raw as a pleasant, heat-tolerant spinach alternative.
| Days to Germination | 10-21 |
|---|---|
| Days to Maturity | 70 |
| Planting Depth | 1/4" |
| Spacing in Row | 6" |
| Spacing Between Rows | 36" |
| Height at Maturity | 84" |
| Width at Maturity | 10" |
| Sun Preference | Full Sun |