Planting information sourced from The Diggers Club
I first came across this plant in The Diggers Club and decided to purchase a few seeds. I had not heard about this plant, but I was keen for some fresh greens for my Smoothies in the summer months and it is difficult to grow fresh greens in our scorching summers and low humidity.
Malabar spinach however isn’t a true spinach, but its foliage does indeed resemble that green leafy vegetable.
Plant Name - Malabar spinach is a member of the Basellaceae family.
Basella alba is a green leaf variety while the red leaf variety belongs to the B. rubra species, which has purplish stems.
Common names include: Ceylon spinach, climbing spinach, gui, acelga trapadora, bratana, libato, vine spinach and Malabar nightshade.
Planting Details
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 18-24 C.
Malabar spinach originated in the tropics of Asia and Africa, so you can either direct sow Malabar spinach seeds in warmer climates, two to three weeks after the last frost date, or if you live in a chillier climate, start the seeds indoors at about six weeks before the last frost. Wait to transplant until the soil has warmed and there is no chance of frost. This is a vigorous vine so allow 20 to 30 cm between plants.
The vine will grow rapidly in the heat of summer all the way through to Autumn and the first frosts. It will die out in the winter, but often the seeds (if left on the vine) will fall to the ground and sprout the following spring. You can collect the seeds and plant them next spring if you wish.
Position
Malabar spinach plants can be grown in part shade, which increases the leaf size, but it much prefers hot, humid and full sun exposures.
Soil
Malabar spinach will grow well in a variety of soil conditions but prefers a moist fertile soil with plenty of organic matter and a soil pH of between 6.5 and 6.8.
Watering
Malabar spinach also needs constant moisture to prevent the blossoming, which will turn the leaves bitter — ideally an area with a warm, rainy climate for optimal Malabar spinach care and growth.
In St George in my semi-arid climate I have had good results using wicking beds as this type of bed keeps moisture levels constant.
Pests and Problems
To date i do not have to many pests or diseases that invade my Malabar spinach.
Harvesting
Once your plant is growing strongly use Malabar spinach is just like spinach greens. I harvest the leaves, though you can eat the stems too. I harvest as needed.
Uses
The leaves and stem contain mucilage, so it can appear slimy when broken off the vine. This mucilage is a great source of soluble fibre, much like pectin in apples.
Delicious cooked, Malabar spinach is not as slimy as some other greens. In India, it is cooked with spicy chilies, chopped onion and mustard oil.
Found frequently in soups, stir-fries and curries, Malabar spinach holds up better than regular spinach and doesn’t wilt as rapidly.
Although when cooked it tastes much like spinach, Malabar spinach raw is a revelation of juicy, crisp flavours of citrus and pepper. It is delicious mixed in with other greens in tossed salads.
Storage
Malabar spinach stores well in the crisper of your fridge.
Final Points
If you like greens all the year round, but can't grow them in our hot dry summers this is a plant for you, as long as you can keep the moisture to them and don't let them dry out, this plant will keep giving. For me this plant has been a godsend, Malabar spinach definitely has a place in my veggie garden, providing cool, crisp greens for the long, hot summer days.
One other point, because it is a vigorous growing vine, you can grow this plant up trellis and over arches to give other more tender plants, a bit of shade.
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