Green Large Leaf Malabar Spinach Seeds - Basella Alba, 20 seeds

Quantity: 20 Seeds / pack

Green Large Leaf Malabar Spinach (Basella alba) is a warm-season vining green grown for its extra-large, thick, glossy green leaves with a mild spinach-like flavor. Like all Malabar spinach, it is not a true spinach but a heat-loving tropical vine that produces tender leaves all summer when regular spinach bolts. The climbing vines reach 6–10 feet and make an attractive, productive trellis crop.

Seed Information

• Type: Vegetable Seeds
• Common Name: Green Large Leaf Malabar Spinach
• Botanical Name: Basella alba
• Life Cycle: Tender perennial, usually grown as a warm-season annual
• Sunlight: Full sun; light afternoon shade in extreme heat
• Watering: Consistent moisture; do not waterlog
• Growth Habit: Vigorous twining vine 6–10 feet long
• Soil Type: Fertile, moisture-retentive, well-draining soil; pH 6.0–7.0
• Planting Time: After the last frost when nights stay above 60°F
• Days to Maturity: 60–70 days to first harvest

Growing Instructions

• When to Plant: Direct sow after frost when soil is warm, or start indoors 6 weeks before the last frost
• Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining soil; compost helps
• Sunlight: Full sun; tolerates partial shade
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist through the growing season
• Spacing: Space 12–18 inches apart; provide a sturdy trellis or fence for climbing
• Germination: 10–21 days at 70–85°F (21–29°C); soak seeds 12–24 hours before sowing and plant ¼–½ inch deep
• Harvest: Begin picking large young leaves and tender tips in 60–70 days; frequent picking encourages branching and more leaves
• Tips: Growth stalls until nights are warm; feed lightly midseason with compost to keep large leaves coming