Advanced
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Basella rubra (Ceylon spinach)
Comment on a listing
Plant supplier links
- Login to upload a photo
4 hours care
per year
per year
10m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Basella rubra
Other names
Ceylon spinach, East Indian spinach, Indian spinach, Malabar spinach , Malabar nightshade , Red Malabar nightshade, Basella alba, Vine spinach
Genus
Basella Basella
Species
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
Habit
Climbing
Flower
White, Pale-pink in Summer
Foliage
Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Can get aphids, scale insects and mealybugs under glass.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
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.
Propagation
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.
Propagation methods
Seed, Stem tip cuttings
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Basella rubra (Ceylon spinach) will reach a height of 10m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Sub-Tropical, Greenhouse, Containers, Conservatory, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
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.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Basella rubra
Other names
Ceylon spinach, East Indian spinach, Indian spinach, Malabar spinach , Malabar nightshade , Red Malabar nightshade, Basella alba, Vine spinach
Genus
Basella Basella
Species
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.
Native to
India, Papua New Guinea, Southeastern Asia
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Climbing
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White, Pale-pink in Summer
Foliage
Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Can get aphids, scale insects and mealybugs under glass.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
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.
Propagation
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.
Propagation methods
Seed, Stem tip cuttings
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Basella rubra (Ceylon spinach) will reach a height of 10m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Sub-Tropical, Greenhouse, Containers, Conservatory, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
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.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| 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... |
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login