{"id":305,"date":"2022-09-08T12:51:02","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T12:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/?post_type=product&p=305"},"modified":"2025-08-04T05:30:04","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T05:30:04","slug":"malabar-spinach","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/product\/malabar-spinach\/","title":{"rendered":"Malabar spinach"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Botanical Name:<\/strong>\u00a0Basella Alba<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some other names:<\/strong>\u00a0Ceylon Spinach, Indian Spinach, climbing spinach, Basella<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to Grow It<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Malabar spinach is a perennial twining vine<\/b> that can reach 2\u20133 metres<\/b> in a single warm season if it has something to climb. The leaves are thick, fleshy, and heart-shaped<\/b>, and the plant sends out lush green or red-tinged stems<\/b> (both equally tasty, though the red is especially pretty!).<\/p>\r\n

It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates<\/b>, loving the humid heat of summer<\/b>. In cooler climates it behaves more like an annual<\/b>, producing for one season before frost kills it back \u2013 but if you let it seed, it will likely pop up again in spring.<\/p>\r\n

Malabar spinach likes sun but actually prefers partial shade<\/b> for bigger, juicier leaves. Too much hot sun can make the leaves tougher, while dry conditions may push it to \u201cbolt\u201d (go to seed early). Keep the soil moist, fertile, and well-drained<\/b>, and it will reward you with glossy, tender growth for months.<\/p>\r\n

Propagation is almost effortless. Once you have a plant, it will self-seed enthusiastically<\/b> \u2013 you\u2019ll see seedlings coming up like weeds the following year! You can also grow it from cuttings<\/b> \u2013 snip off a few tips, put them in water, and they\u2019ll root within days. Or simply collect the dark red berries<\/b> in autumn, let them dry, and plant the seeds in spring (soaking them overnight improves germination).<\/p>\r\n

It\u2019s happy in pots or tubs<\/b>, provided it gets regular water and a trellis to scramble up. I often plant it densely in tubs for constant picking \u2013 the young shoots are incredible in stir-fries!

<\/p>\r\n

Herbal & Nutrient Value<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Malabar spinach is nutritionally impressive<\/b>. The leaves are rich in Vitamin A (for healthy eyes and skin)<\/b>, Vitamin C (immune booster)<\/b>, and a good spread of B vitamins<\/b>. They also provide calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc<\/b>, and useful amounts of iron and copper<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n

One of Malabar spinach\u2019s secret superpowers is its mucilage<\/b> \u2013 that slightly slippery sap you notice when you pick it. While it might seem odd at first, mucilage is valued in herbal medicine for soothing the digestive tract<\/b> and helping the body detoxify by binding and flushing waste<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n

It\u2019s not a medicinal herb in the classic sense, but eating it regularly offers a quiet, steady health boost \u2013 especially in the summer months when you might otherwise struggle to get fresh leafy greens.<\/p>\r\n

Traditional & Home Remedies<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Leaf Poultice<\/strong> \u2013 Fresh leaves crushed and applied to boils and ulcers<\/strong>.
Leaf Juice<\/strong> \u2013 Taken with water for mild constipation<\/strong>.
Cooling Decoction<\/strong> \u2013 Leaves simmered in water; drunk for fevers and heat exhaustion<\/strong>.
Postpartum Tonic<\/strong> \u2013 In parts of India, given to new mothers for recovery.
Eye Wash<\/strong> \u2013 Weak infusion used to rinse irritated eyes (traditional).

<\/p>\r\n

Using It in the Kitchen<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Malabar spinach is one of the best greens for hot weather<\/b> \u2013 when lettuce, kale, and spinach wilt, this one takes off.<\/p>\r\n

The young, juicy leaves<\/b> are perfect for salads and sandwiches<\/b>, and are mild in flavour \u2013 almost like a slightly \u201cgreen\u201d lettuce with a hint of citrus. Older leaves are still edible but are better cooked.<\/p>\r\n

When cooked, Malabar spinach releases its mucilage, which thickens soups, stews, and curries<\/b> naturally. It\u2019s brilliant for adding body to a meal \u2013 just don\u2019t overcook it, or it can get too slimy. A quick toss in a stir-fry or a brief wilt at the end of cooking is perfect.<\/p>\r\n

Storage tip:<\/b> Malabar spinach doesn\u2019t store for long once picked \u2013 best eaten the same day. But because it keeps producing new shoots<\/b>, you don\u2019t really need to store it \u2013 just pick as you go.

<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"\r\n
Malabar Spinach grown in tubs for\u00a0
daily picking of the shoots

<\/em><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Simple recipe ideas:<\/b>
– Summer Salad Boost<\/b> \u2013 toss young leaves with cucumber, tomato, and vinaigrette for a crisp, cooling salad.
– Stir-fried Shoots<\/b> \u2013 fry garlic and chilli in oil, add Malabar spinach shoots, and stir-fry for 1\u20132 minutes.
– Thickening Soup<\/b> \u2013 add a handful of chopped leaves at the end of cooking any soup or stew \u2013 they\u2019ll thicken the broth slightly and add nutrients.
– Malabar Omelette<\/b> \u2013 saut\u00e9 a few tender stems and leaves, then pour over beaten eggs for a fresh, green-packed breakfast.
– Quick Side Dish<\/b> \u2013 steam briefly with ginger and soy sauce for a 2-minute healthy side.

<\/p>\r\n

Other Uses<\/b><\/p>\r\n

Malabar spinach isn\u2019t just a summer salad hero \u2013 it\u2019s also handy for:<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  • Natural dyeing:<\/b> The red berries produce a beautiful, non-toxic purple dye that\u2019s been used for food colouring, inks, and even body paint by kids.<\/li>\r\n
  • Mulch or compost:<\/b> When the vines get unruly, chop and drop them \u2013 they break down fast and feed your soil.<\/li>\r\n
  • Animal fodder:<\/b> The leaves and shoots are safe and nutritious for chickens, ducks, and goats.

    <\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Why it’s a survival plant:<\/h3>\r\n

    Self-seeds freely<\/b> \u2013 plant once and it\u2019ll likely be in your garden for years.
    Grows when other greens won\u2019t<\/b> \u2013 giving you food during the hottest months.
    Provides high nutrition with almost no care required.<\/b><\/b><\/p>\r\n

    This is one of those plants that definitely earns its keep \u2013 and in a survival situation, you\u2019ll be very glad to have it climbing a fence or tumbling out of a pot!<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Malabar spinach is a fast-growing, heat-loving perennial vine that thrives when other greens give up in the summer. With its juicy, nutrient-packed leaves and self-seeding habit, it\u2019s a must-have survival plant for any warm-climate garden.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":140,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":100,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[40,41,42,43,44,46],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-305","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-high-nutrition-plants","7":"product_cat-mulch-plants","8":"product_cat-pot-and-container-plants","9":"product_cat-salad-leaves","10":"product_cat-shade-loving-plants","11":"product_cat-stir-fry-plants","13":"first","14":"instock","15":"shipping-taxable","16":"product-type-simple"},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t