How to Grow Malabar Spinach: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost (WI/Cornell). Direct sow or transplant 2 to 3 weeks after last frost (Cornell/WI). About 85 days from seeding (PVAMU/UC). Not true spinach (Spinacia).

Malabar spinach at a glance

PlantStart indoors: 8–6 wk before last frost; Direct sow: 2–3 wk after last frost; Transplant: 2–3 wk after last frost
SunFull sun (part shade → larger leaves — Cornell).
SpacingCornell/WI: transplants about 12 inches apart.
Days to harvest~85 days from seeding (PVAMU/UC)
-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3+4
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Malabar spinach (Basella alba / B. rubra) — heat-loving leafy vine. Not true spinach (Spinacia oleracea).

Malabar spinach leaves
Malabar spinach leaves (Basella alba). Photo: Joydeep, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized).

Planting timing

Wisconsin: do not plant outdoors until a few weeks after all danger of frost; start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost. (Wisconsin Malabar spinach) Cornell: in Zone 7+, direct seed 2 to 3 weeks after last frost; start inside about 6 weeks before last frost in colder areas; transplant only after soil is warm — at least 2 to 3 weeks after last frost. Extremely frost-sensitive. (Cornell Malabar spinach) Planner: Start indoors last frost −8 to −6; Direct sow / Transplant last frost +2 to +3.

Depth and spacing

Cornell/WI: transplants about 12 inches apart. PVAMU: direct sow about ¼ inch deep. Trellis required (Cornell/WI/NC).

Sun, soil and water

Full sun (part shade → larger leaves — Cornell). Moist fertile high-organic soil; consistent moisture to delay flowering/bitterness. Growth poor below ~80°F; little growth if nights <60°F (WI/Cornell).

Care

Scarify or soak seed (Cornell/WI). Trellis/fence. Tip cuttings root easily (WI).

Harvest

About 85 days after seeding (PVAMU; UC chart). Cut leaves and tender stems through the season. Flowering → bitter leaves — keep moist. (PVAMU Malabar spinach)

Pests and diseases

NC State: no known diseases or pests; dry soil/extreme heat → flowering/bitter leaves. Cultural moisture and harvest management primary. (NC State Basella alba)

Related: spinach · ZIP planner · New Zealand spinach

Frequently asked questions

When do I plant Malabar spinach?

Start −8 to −6; direct sow or transplant +2 to +3 (Cornell/WI).

Days to maturity?

About 85 days from seed (PVAMU/UC).

Same as spinach?

No — Basella is a heat vine; Spinacia is a cool-season green.

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources