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How to Grow Malabar Spinach

Basella alba

Tender Warm Season Continuous Harvest

When to Start

Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 15°C and soil has warmed to at least 18°C.

Don't know your frost date? Find it here →

Growth Stages

Sow seeds
Germination ~14d
pages.grow.stages.SPRING_GROWTH ~70d
Harvest ~85d

Approximate days from start

Care Essentials

  • Balanced liquid feed every two weeks once plants are actively climbing. Rich soil preferred.
  • A vigorous tropical climber that thrives in heat. Excellent spinach substitute for hot summers when regular spinach bolts. Mucilaginous texture when cooked.

Companion Planting

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Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature: 18°C+
Germination temperature: 20–30°C

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Spacing & Planting

Plant spacing 30 cm
Row spacing 45 cm
Mature height 200 cm
Mature spread 30 cm

Provide a trellis or support for climbing. Space 30 cm apart along the support structure.

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Care Guide

Feeding
Balanced liquid feed every two weeks once plants are actively climbing. Rich soil preferred.
Watch for
  • Red spider mite in hot dry conditions
  • Slugs on young plants
  • Generally trouble-free

Pests & Diseases

Pest Red Spider Mite

Identification: Fine webbing on undersides of leaves, tiny red or yellow mites visible with magnification, leaves become mottled and dry

Organic treatment:
  • Increase humidity by misting regularly
  • Introduce predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis
  • Spray with neem oil
Chemical treatment:
  • Miticide spray if severe
Pest Slugs and Snails

Identification: Irregular holes in young leaves, slime trails, seedlings eaten overnight

Organic treatment:
  • Beer traps
  • Copper tape around containers
  • Evening hand-picking
Chemical treatment:
  • Ferric phosphate pellets (wildlife-safe)
Disease Leaf Spot

Symptoms: Brown or black spots on leaves, sometimes with yellow halos

Treatment: Remove affected leaves promptly. Improve air circulation.

Prevention: Avoid overhead watering. Space plants adequately. Remove debris.

Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature18°C
Germination temperature20–30°C
Base growth temperature15°C
Photoperiod sensitivityshort day

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Malabar Spinach?
Plant Malabar Spinach 30cm apart with 45cm between rows.
When can I harvest Malabar Spinach?
Malabar Spinach is ready to harvest approximately 55 days after transplanting.
Is Malabar Spinach frost hardy?
Malabar Spinach is classified as Tender.

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