Malabar Spinach
Basella alba
Family: Basellaceae
Malabar Spinach grows in full sun to partial shade and prefers rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Water needs: Moderate to high.
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How to Grow Malabar Spinach
Malabar Spinach growing information includes sunlight requirements of Full sun to partial shade, soil conditions listed as Rich, fertile, well-drained soil with a soil pH of 6.0-7.0, and Moderate to high water needs. The listed hardiness zones are 10-11 perennial; annual elsewhere. For propagation reference, the database lists germination or establishment information for Malabar Spinach as 10-21 days, with planting or establishment depth listed as 1/2 inch. Days to maturity are listed as 55-70 days.
Plant Overview
Malabar Spinach (Basella alba) is listed in the Basellaceae family and categorized as a vegetable with a tender perennial commonly grown as an annual life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Easy.
- Plant ID
- PLT-0149
- Family
- Basellaceae
- Plant type
- Vegetable
- Life cycle
- Tender perennial commonly grown as an annual
- Difficulty
- Easy
Growing Conditions
Malabar Spinach is listed for full sun to partial shade conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate to high. The database soil reference is Rich, fertile, well-drained soil. The listed soil pH range is 6.0-7.0, and the listed hardiness range is 10-11 perennial; annual elsewhere.
- Hardiness zones
- 10-11 perennial; annual elsewhere
- Sunlight
- Full sun to partial shade
- Soil
- Rich, fertile, well-drained soil
- Soil pH
- 6.0-7.0
- Water needs
- Moderate to high
Seed & Germination
For seed starting, the listed germination time is 10-21 days and the seed depth is 1/2 inch. The listed time to maturity is 55-70 days. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.
- Germination
- 10-21 days
- Seed depth
- 1/2 inch
Harvest & Propagation
- Days to maturity
- 55-70 days
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Growing Reference Note
Plant performance can vary with climate, soil, weather, cultivar, seed quality, and gardening methods. The values on this page are general database reference ranges rather than a substitute for local extension guidance or seed-packet instructions.