Malabar Spinach Seeds - Basella Alba, 20 seeds

Quantity: 20 Seeds / pack

Malabar Spinach (Basella alba) is a warm-season vining green grown for its thick, semi-succulent leaves that are cooked like spinach. Although not a true spinach, it thrives in summer heat when regular spinach bolts, and its glossy leaves and climbing vines are attractive on a trellis. The leaves have a mild, spinach-like flavor for salads, stir-fries and soups.

Seed Information

• Type: Vegetable Seeds
• Common Name: 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: 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: 50–70 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 trellis, fence or other sturdy support
• 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 young leaves and tender shoot tips in 50–70 days; harvest every 5–8 days to encourage branching
• Tips: Needs real heat — plants grow slowly until nights are warm; regular picking keeps vines producing all summer