Spinach like plants (Malabar spinach)

Plant family

Basellgewächse (Basellaceae)

Also known as

Vine Spinach, Ceylon Spinach, Indian Spinach

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Plant distance

20 cm

Row spacing

40 cm

Seeding depth

2 cm

Instructions

Description

Indian spinach, climbing spinach, Malabar spinach or Ceylon spinach is a 1-9 m tall, twining, herbaceous, heat-loving plant belonging to the Basellaceae family. It is also grown as an ornamental plant. The leaves can also be eaten raw and are used like spinach. In the Orient they are used to make soups and sauces creamy. Its flowers are white, red, pink or purple.

Growing tips

Pre-grow at home from March at 15-22°C, only plant out after mid-May. The plant needs a climbing support. In the tropics it grows up to 9 m high, here up to 2 m. Propagation is by seed or cuttings. A perennial plant in the tropics, but only an annual here due to its sensitivity to frost, but can be harvested continuously after planting. Water and fertilize regularly.