Spinach (Malabar) Growing Guide

Basella alba

Spinach (Malabar)

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Any average, well drained soil.

Position

Full sun to partial afternoon shade.

Frost tolerant

Malabar spinach is a tropical plant that tolerates neither frost nor cold soil.

Feeding

Mix in a balanced organic fertilizer when preparing the planting site.

Companions

Malabar spinach is a vigorous climbing plant that needs a trellis or other support. It will quickly overtake other plants.

Spacing

Single Plants: 30cm (11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 25cm (9") with 35cm (1' 1") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Plant seeds in late spring, after the soil has warmed. In cool climates, you can give plants a two-week head start indoors. After the first season, look for volunteer seedlings and move them to where you want them to grow. It helps to scarify and soak the seeds overnight before sowing. Provide a good trellis for it to climb up. In subtropical areas it can take over if it's not kept under control.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Malabar spinach is highly ornamental, and is easily trained up a trellis. Some varieties have red stems. Malabar spinach is typically grown on a tower, fence or tepee style trellis. Four trellised plants will occupy a space 18 inches (45 cm) square at maturity.

Harvesting

Clip leaves as you need them in the kitchen. When lightly steamed or stir-fried, the leaves resemble a cross between spinach and chard.

Troubleshooting

In the fall, gather up dead plants and compost them to limit reseeding in the garden. In some climates, Malabar spinach can become weedy.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Spinach (Malabar)