Basella Species, Ceylon Spinach, Climbing Spinach, Indian Spinach

Basellaalba

Genus
Basella (ba-SELL-ah)
Species
alba (AL-ba)
Synonym
Basella alba var. cordifolia
Basella alba var. subcordata
Basella alba var. subrotunda
Basella cananifolia
Basella cordifolia
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Height
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Medium Purple
Bloom Time
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Vegetables
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Vines and Climbers
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Burgundy/Maroon
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From herbaceous stem cuttings
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Vincent, Alabama

Apache Junction, Arizona

New Britain, Connecticut

Bartow, Florida

Hobe Sound, Florida

Inverness, Florida

Laie, Hawaii

Kenner, Louisiana(2 reports)

Marrero, Louisiana

Mullica Hill, New Jersey

Stroud, Oklahoma

Belton, Texas

Burnet, Texas

Galveston, Texas

New Braunfels, Texas

Kenosha, Wisconsin

show all

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Gardener's Notes:

7
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
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G
Kenner, LA (Zone 9a) | July 2016 | positive

very vigorous vine.
very healthy edible leaves. a bit musciligenous if that bothers you, i dont mind it though.

it ...Read More

L
Central, AL (Zone 7b) | June 2013 | positive

Since this plant is an annual. You can grow this anywhere. For moderate climate gardeners; you can selectively save some seeds for the ...Read More

S
Tampa, FL | July 2010 | positive

The climbing spinach is successfully growing in Inverness Florida. It seems to love our summer heat.

V
V
| March 2009 | neutral

Hi all,

I would like to grow this plant in my home, I live in Finland which is quite cold and the summer temperatures hard...Read More

L
Mullica Hill, NJ | July 2007 | positive

I live in Southern New Jersey, USA. I was given a bag of seeds from the wife of my primary care physician, whom has passed, to plant in r...Read More

G
| March 2007 | positive

I am growing Ceylon Spinach in Far North Queensland, Australia. Not only is it an extremely attractive plant it certainly is edible. Yo...Read More

B
B
Stroud, OK | November 2003 | positive

Great Plant. I grew it in Oklahoma from a big clay pot on my deck. It lasted all summer and produced beautiful burgundy leaves and littl...Read More

F
| August 2003 | positive

I grow Ceylon Spinach in Queensland, Australia. It grows like a weed in the hot, humid summer we have here. The more humidity and rain,...Read More

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