🌿 Malabar Spinach: Growing Guide
Malabar Spinach (Basella alba) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 15–40 °C (59–104 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart. Expect 60–80 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Basella alba |
|---|---|
| Category | Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 30 cm (12 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | 15–40 °C (59–104 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 60–80 days |
| Sowing depth | 1 cm (0.4 in) |
| Height | 100–300 cm (39–118 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Tropical | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest |
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Aug.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Feb, Jul · Harvest: Mar–Jun, Aug–Oct.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Harvest: Feb–Jan.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Mar, Aug · Harvest: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Watering
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 5 days in winter. Loves moisture.
Growing tips
A climbing tropical spinach! Loves heat. White and red.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Malabar Spinach: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Aug. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
Malabar Spinach: how often should I water it?
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 5 days in winter. Loves moisture.
Malabar Spinach: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 30 cm (12 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 1 cm (0.4 in).
Malabar Spinach: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 60–80 days.
Malabar Spinach: which plants grow well with it?
Tomato.
Plan your garden
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