When should I plant Malabar Spinach?

Sow seed indoors 4–3 weeks before your last spring frost. Move seedlings into the garden 2–4 weeks after your last spring frost. Sow seed straight into the ground 2–4 weeks after your last spring frost.

How far apart do I plant Malabar Spinach?

Space Malabar Spinach about 12″ apart. It grows best in full sun.

What grows well with Malabar Spinach?

Good companions for Malabar Spinach include Bush Bean, Pole Bean, Sweet Corn.

What zones does Malabar Spinach grow in?

Malabar Spinach is suited to USDA zones 7–11 and takes ~70 days to harvest.

How to grow Malabar Spinach (Basella alba)

The summer 'spinach' that loves the heat: thick, glossy, mucilaginous leaves on a vigorous red-stemmed vine.

Quick tip

Not a true spinach but a heat-loving climbing vine - give it a trellis and it thrives when real spinach bolts.

☀️ Full sun↔ 12″ apartZones 7–11⏳ ~70d

When to plant Malabar Spinach

Start indoorsSow seed indoors 4–3 weeks before your last spring frost.
Transplant outMove seedlings into the garden 2–4 weeks after your last spring frost.
Direct sowSow seed straight into the ground 2–4 weeks after your last spring frost.

At a glance

Botanical name

Basella alba

Companion planting

Plant near

🌱 A heat-loving climbing green - give it a trellis; legumes feed it and it won't crowd the bed's base.

Plan Malabar Spinach for your zone →