How to grow Malabar Spinach in Australia
A heat-loving climbing green for full sun in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Provide a trellis for the vines and keep the soil consistently moist for tender leaves, watering more in hot weather.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 40 cm
- Time to harvest: 50 days
- Time to germinate: 14 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to February | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to January | Warm-season annual, reliable on the frost-free coast and hot west once soil passes 24°C; marginal only in cold upland pockets. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Tropical perennial; Melbourne winter lethal. Can fruit in warm years Nov to Feb but dies in May to Sept cold. |
| Adelaide & SA | Not suited | Mediterranean: unsuitable. Malabar Spinach tropical; requires year-round warmth. Not viable Adelaide/Perth. |
| Perth & WA | October to January | Viable in warm spots: sow Oct to Jan on the frost free Coastal Strip and warm courtyards. Thirsty on sand; a wicking bed helps. Marginal on the plain, skip the Hills. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Needs tropical heat to climb and crop. Not viable in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Malabar Spinach unsuitable for Canberra: tropical vine; frost kills. Use silverbeet or bok choy for warm-season greens. |
| North Queensland | September to February | Wet season Sep to Feb. Malabar spinach is tropical leafy vine; thrives in monsoonal heat and humidity. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to February | Wet season Sep to Feb. Malabar spinach is tropical leafy vine; thrives in monsoonal heat and humidity. |
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick the young leaves and tender tips once the vine is climbing well. Pinch off the growing tips, which also branches the plant for heavier repeat picking.
Storage
Fridge in a bag, up to 3 days.