Malabar Spinach

Overview

Malabar spinach is a vigorous vine with thick, succulent leaves and red or green stems. It thrives in heat and humidity when ordinary spinach won’t grow.

History

Native to tropical Asia, it is widely grown as a vegetable across Asia and Africa.

Growing on Kauaʻi

• Loves heat, sun, and moisture.
• Give it a trellis or fence; manage it so it doesn’t climb young trees.

Planting and propagation

• Sow seeds ¼ inch deep, or root stem cuttings in moist soil.
• Plant at the base of a trellis.

Care and maintenance

• Pinch tips to keep it bushy and productive.
• Pull out or cut back seedlings where it self-sows.

Role in the guild

Train it up a fence or trellis at the sunny edge of a guild. It can sprawl as a temporary ground cover in new beds.

Harvest

Pick young leaves and tender tips regularly.

Uses

• Food: leaves and tips raw or cooked; they thicken soups and stews.
• Dye: the dark berries make a purple stain.

Problems to watch

• Self-sows readily; remove unwanted seedlings.
• Slugs on young growth; wash greens well (rat lungworm).

General guidance for Kauaʻi; conditions vary by site. Check any new plant at plantpono.org before planting.