Red Malabar Spinach Seeds - Basella Rubra, 20 seeds

Red Malabar Spinach (Basella rubra) is a heat-loving climbing vine grown for its thick, glossy green leaves and red stems, which provide tender greens all summer when regular spinach bolts in the heat. It is not a true spinach, but the young leaves are cooked or eaten fresh the same way. This packet contains 20 seeds.

Seed Information

• Type: Vegetable Seeds
• Common Name: Red Malabar Spinach
• Botanical Name: Basella rubra
• Life Cycle: Warm-season annual in most gardens
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist
• Growth Habit: Twining vine; provide a trellis or other support
• Soil Type: Moist, fertile soil high in organic matter
• Planting Time: Sow after the soil is warm and the weather is reliably hot
• Days to Maturity: First light harvest about 50 days after planting

Growing Instructions

• When to Plant: Direct sow after the soil is warm, or start indoors about 6 weeks before the last frost; do not set out until it is warm, as this plant dislikes cool temperatures.
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil with compost worked in.
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
• Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist.
• Spacing: Sow 1/4 inch deep and thin to 9–12 inches apart.
• Germination: Sprouting takes 10–21 days at 70–85°F; soaking seeds overnight beforehand shortens germination time.
• Harvest: Pinch the tips of the vines and pick young leaves regularly, which encourages side shoots and a larger harvest.
• Tips: Provide a sturdy trellis — vines can climb 6 feet or more; frequent harvesting delays flowering and keeps the leaves tender.