Malabar Spinach (red stem) seeds
Although not a true spinach, Malabar more than makes up for its pseudo name. Malabar is an edible ornamental plant that will climb as you've never seen. Each red wine-colored vine will produce ample amounts of succulent nutritious leaves. Unlike true spinach, Malabar loves not only heat, but it will thrive in extreme temperatures.
The leaves are thick and, when consumed, have a slight viscosity to them. The flavor is deep and earthy. Malabar is a prime candidate for smoothies, salads, fritters, stir-fries, and salads. As these grow, you will notice what looks like purple berries. These are the seeds. When dried, they resemble peppercorns. These will require something to climb on and warm conditions to grow.
Seed count: 50
Botanic name
Basella rubra
Plant spacing:
15-16 inches apart
Color:
Green foliage, burgundy stems, purple to white seeds
Sowing depth:
1/2 inch deep
Sun requirements:
Full sun
Utilization:
Strawberry Spinach is a winner as far as salad additions. The greens and berries are also great for sautees.
Frost hardy:
No
Maturity days:
60-70 days
Life cycle:
Perennial
Start indoors:
Yes
Container friendly:
Yes
Other names:
Ceylon Spinach, Indian Spinach, Vietnamese Spinach, Vine Spinach, and Vining Spinach.
