Malabar Spinach (Basella alba)

Malabar Spinach (Basella alba) is a beautiful multi-colored fast-growing edible annual (or short-lived perennial) climbing vine native to Southeast Asia and India. It's leaves are rich in vitamins and thick and succulent just like spinach with a little more flavor and crisp. The stem is vibrant red in color and and it's lovely little blooms are pastel pink.

Malabar Spinach is a heat loving, drought tolerant plant that grows really well in sandy soil and honestly needs very little nutrients to thrive. Not only is Malabar Spinach a great summer alternative to growing spinach or other leafy greens, we think it's an essential summer plant in any food forest or permaculture garden. We have it planted under fruit trees and along fence lines for a beautiful, tropical, ornamental look.