Ceylon Spinach Red Stem

Product: Ceylon Spinach Red Stem

Product type: SEED (20)

Botanical name: Basella alba 'Rubra'

Syn.: Syn. Climbing Spinach, Malabar Spinach.

Syn. Malabar Spinach; vine spinach. This is a green leaf – red stem version of the attractive climbing leafy green, rich in vitamins A and C, iron and calcium. It is a tropical perennial vine that will grow as an annual in cooler areas and is frost tender. It can be eaten raw in salads or lightly cooked in stirfries. It has a flavour similar to spinach. The older leaves develop a 'slipperiness', this mucilaginous property has been used traditionally as a thickening agent for soups and stews.

Plant type: Warm season short-lived perennial

Plant height: 1.5 - 2 m, requires a trellis

Sow when: Germinate best at 22 - 27°C soil temp.

Temperate: Spring behind glass for extra heat

Subtropical: October - February

Tropical: Late March - August

Germination: 7 - 21 days

Depth: 20 mm deep

Position: Sun or semi-shade

Sow where: Sow direct into warm soil

Soil type: Rich, fertile, moist soil; pH 5.5 - 6.7

Details: Soaking seed before sowing improves germination; self-sows readily

Harvest: 70 days: to harvest, tip-prune the vines taking the young tender shoots and leaves to encourage branching

Suitable for hot and humid: Suitable for hot and humid growing conditions