In the summer, the combination of long daylight hours and heat causes spinach to bolt.
Malabar spinach is a tropical leafy green that was named after a coastal region in southwestern India.
It is botanically not a true spinach yet it resembles it.
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Once cooked though, the texture is different from spinach.
The thick, semi-succulent leaves become gluey, not unlike okra.
Malabar spinach grows vertically and needs a trellis to support its fast growth.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
In fact, light or dappled shade may increase the size of its leaves and make them more succulent.
Water
Malabar spinach needs water.
In dry conditions, it will flower prematurely, which can turn the leaves bitter.
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In the absence of frequent and ample rainfall, it requires regular watering.
How to Plant Malabar Spinach
When to plant Malabar spinach depends on your climate.
In all other locations, start it indoors six to eight weeks before the last spring frost.
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Because the vines of Malabar spinach grow quickly, it lends itself tocompanion plantingfor heat-sensitive plants.
If left to trail and sprawl on the ground, it can overgrow other crops.
Both varieties are edible.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Cut individual leaves, stems, and vine tips using garden shears or scissors.
Harvest only as much as you need at any given time.
Regular harvesting encourages more leaf growth so instead of taking an entire plant, harvest smaller amounts more often.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
In the right conditions, Malabar spinach grows vigorously so overharvesting is unlikely.
Also, Malabar spinach needs to be kept moist at all times.
As container plants dry out even faster than garden soil, potted Malabar spinach requires even more frequent watering.
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Pruning
Like all vines, Malabar spinach can become densely entangled and unruly.
Unpruned vines may reach a length of 30 feet.
By pinching the tips of the vines, you encourage the plant to branch out.
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Propagating Malabar Spinach
Malabar spinach can be propagated from vine tip cuttings and stems.
Collect the fully dried seeds and store them in a cool, dry place until planting the following year.
The seeds are viable for four years.
Red malabar spinachfajartriamboro-76 / Getty Images
With either method, plant the seeds one-quarter inch deep and follow the general instructions forseed starting.
Space the seedlings 6 inches apart.
For seeds started in the garden, thin the seedlings to 6 inches apart.
You need a large, sunny window and enough space to accommodate the plants vertical growth.
To keep its growth under control, harvest the leaves or prune it as described above.
The leaves of infected plants have small circular or oval grey spots with a dark purple or brown ring.
Leaves infected with fungal leaf spot are not suitable for consumption.
Thedays to maturityrange between 70 to 85 days after planting from seed.
When grown in ideal conditions, baby greens can be harvested in as little as 50 days.
Malabar Spinach Growing Guide.
Florida Cultivation Guide for Malabar Spinach.
University of Florida, UF/IFAS Extension.
Wisconsin Horticulture, Division of Extension.
