How to grow Malabar Spinach in New Zealand
Malabar spinach is a fast, heat-loving climbing vine with thick, glossy, heart-shaped leaves that are used like spinach, raw or cooked. It crops right through summer, when true spinach has long since bolted. It is not related to spinach, is very sensitive to frost and does not get going until the soil is properly warm.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Malabar Spinach in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | September to December | |
| Auckland | September to December | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | October to December | Frost tender. Plant Oct to Dec once the frosts are over and the soil is warm. |
| Central North Island | December | Frost tender. Plant in December in a warm, sheltered spot or tunnel house. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | November and December | Frost tender. Plant Nov to Dec in a warm, sheltered spot or tunnel house. |
| Nelson & Marlborough | November and December | Frost tender. Plant Nov to Dec in a warm, sheltered spot or tunnel house. |
| Canterbury | December | Frost tender. Plant in December in a warm, sheltered spot or tunnel house. |
| Otago & Southland | December | Frost tender. Plant in December in a warm, sheltered spot or tunnel house. |
| Central Otago | December | Frost tender. Plant in December in a warm, sheltered spot or tunnel house. |
Where to plant
Grow Malabar spinach in full sun in rich, moist, well-drained soil, against a trellis, fence or frame. The vines can climb 2 m or more in a summer. It grows best in hot, humid weather and slows right down in cool conditions.
Seed needs warm soil, about 25 to 30°C, to germinate well, so sow late or start seed indoors and plant out once nights are warm.
- Northland and Auckland: sow from September to December, once the soil is warm.
- Waikato and Bay of Plenty: plant from October to December once the frosts are over and the soil is warm.
- Wellington and Nelson and Marlborough: plant in November and December in a warm, sheltered spot or tunnel house.
- Central North Island, Canterbury, Otago and Southland, and Central Otago: plant in December in a warm, sheltered spot or a tunnel house.
Choosing a variety
| Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Red-stemmed Malabar spinach (Basella rubra) | Crimson stems and green leaves; ornamental on a trellis and just as productive. Sold by Kings Seeds |
| Green Malabar spinach | Green stems and leaves, used the same way |
How to plant
- Soak seed overnight to soften the hard coat, if you like.
- Sow seed about 1 to 1.2 cm deep in pots indoors, about six to eight weeks before nights are reliably warm, or direct once the soil is warm. Seed takes 7 to 14 days to germinate in warm soil.
- Plant out or thin to about 20 to 40 cm apart at the base of a trellis or frame.
- Water in and mulch to keep the soil warm and moist.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil consistently moist, watering more in hot weather; dry plants flower early and the leaves turn bitter.
Feed every couple of weeks with a liquid fertiliser for leafy vegetables to keep fresh leaves coming.
Pruning and care through the year
- Train the stems up the support as they grow and tie them in where needed.
- Pinch out the growing tips once the vine reaches the top of its support to make it bushier.
- Pick off flower spikes to keep the plant producing leaves.
Harvesting
Start picking young leaves and tender shoot tips once the vine is growing strongly, about eight to twelve weeks after sowing. Regular picking encourages more side shoots. Young leaves are mild and crisp in salads; cooked, they thicken soups and stir-fries with a slightly slippery texture.
The leaves wilt quickly, so use them within a few days. Plants keep cropping until the first cold weather or frost ends them.
Growing in pots
Malabar spinach grows well in a pot at least 25 cm wide with a frame or obelisk to climb, in a hot, sunny spot. Keep it well watered and fed. In cooler districts a pot on a sunny deck or in a tunnel house gives the best results.
Companion planting
As a summer climber, Malabar spinach pairs well with other warm-season crops in a sunny bed.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Malabar spinach has few pests in New Zealand. Cold weather is its main limit.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids Clusters on young shoot tips.
- Slugs Young seedlings and low leaves chewed, mostly early in the season.
Malabar Spinach is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
Is Malabar spinach real spinach?
No. It is an unrelated climbing vine, Basella, but its leaves are used like spinach. Unlike spinach, it loves heat and crops all summer.
Why is my Malabar spinach not growing?
It needs warmth. Seed needs soil of about 25 to 30°C to germinate, and plants sit still in cool weather. Sow later in spring or start seed indoors, and grow it in the warmest spot or a tunnel house.
Why is Malabar spinach slimy?
The leaves are naturally mucilaginous, like okra. Eat young leaves raw in salads for crunch, or use the leaves to thicken soups and stews.
Does Malabar spinach need a trellis?
Yes. It is a climbing vine that grows 2 m or more in a summer. Give it a trellis, fence or frame.
Will Malabar spinach survive winter?
Not outdoors in most of New Zealand. It is highly frost sensitive and dies with the first frosts; grow it as a summer crop and resow each spring.
Sources we checked: Kings Seeds NZ: Spinach Malabar; Wikipedia: Basella alba (Malabar spinach).