Basella rubra
Ceylon spinach, East Indian spinach, Indian spinach, Malabar spinach , Malabar nightshade , Red Malabar nightshade, Basella alba, Vine spinach
Basella Basella
B. rubra - B. rubra is a vigorous yet tender, climbing perennial, often grown as an annual, with red-flushed stems bearing edible, heart-shaped, mid- to bright green leaves and, from summer into autumn, short spikes of white, pale pink, or pale violet flowers followed by glossy, ridged, black fruit.
Basella rubra is: Evergreen
Climbing
Pale-pink, White in Summer
Green in All seasons
Can get aphids, scale insects and mealybugs under glass.
Generally disease-free.
Pinch out growing tips to create a bushier habit. Clip as needed to keep size in check. If growing as a vegetable, remove flowers before they bloom.
Sow seed indoors in late winter or early spring at 18-22C. Scarify seed with sandpaper or a knife to knick the seed coat. Germination takes 14-21 days. Direct sow after danger of frost has passed.
Seed, Stem tip cuttings
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Basella rubra (Ceylon spinach) will reach a height of 10m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Sub-Tropical, Greenhouse, Containers, Conservatory, Wallside and trellises
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with added leaf mould in bright filtered light with humidity. Water freely & feed monthly in growth; water moderately in winter. In frost-free areas, grow outdoors in fertile, moist soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Does not tolerate frost and or when summer temperatures go below 15C(59F). Leaves taste like spinach.
Loamy, Sandy
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Full Sun
South
Sheltered
Indoor heated (H1)
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Basella rubra
Ceylon spinach, East Indian spinach, Indian spinach, Malabar spinach , Malabar nightshade , Red Malabar nightshade, Basella alba, Vine spinach
Basella Basella
B. rubra - B. rubra is a vigorous yet tender, climbing perennial, often grown as an annual, with red-flushed stems bearing edible, heart-shaped, mid- to bright green leaves and, from summer into autumn, short spikes of white, pale pink, or pale violet flowers followed by glossy, ridged, black fruit.
India, Papua New Guinea, Southeastern Asia
Evergreen
Climbing
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Pale-pink, White in Summer
Green in All seasons
Can get aphids, scale insects and mealybugs under glass.
Generally disease-free.
Pinch out growing tips to create a bushier habit. Clip as needed to keep size in check. If growing as a vegetable, remove flowers before they bloom.
Sow seed indoors in late winter or early spring at 18-22C. Scarify seed with sandpaper or a knife to knick the seed coat. Germination takes 14-21 days. Direct sow after danger of frost has passed.
Seed, Stem tip cuttings
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Basella rubra (Ceylon spinach) will reach a height of 10m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Sub-Tropical, Greenhouse, Containers, Conservatory, Wallside and trellises
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with added leaf mould in bright filtered light with humidity. Water freely & feed monthly in growth; water moderately in winter. In frost-free areas, grow outdoors in fertile, moist soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Does not tolerate frost and or when summer temperatures go below 15C(59F). Leaves taste like spinach.
Loamy, Sandy
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Full Sun
South
Sheltered
Indoor heated (H1)
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
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This plant likes... | Garden match | |
Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
Aspect: | South | Tell us... |
Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1) | Tell us... |
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