How to grow Malabar Spinach in Australia
Malabar spinach, also sold as Ceylon spinach (Basella alba), is a fast, climbing vine with thick, glossy leaves that cook like spinach with a slightly slippery texture. It loves heat and humidity, so it is a reliable summer green in Queensland and the tropics, when true spinach and silverbeet struggle.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Malabar Spinach in Australia
At a glance
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. |
Where to plant
Grow Malabar spinach in a sunny spot in fertile, well-drained soil that stays moist, against a trellis, fence or tripod. It grows fastest in full sun but tolerates some shade. The vines can climb several metres if they have a tall support, so most gardeners prune them back to about 1.5 m to keep picking easy.
It needs warm soil to germinate and steady warmth to grow. Cold weather stops it, and frost kills it.
- North Queensland and Darwin: thrives through the wet season heat and humidity. Sow from September to February.
- South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: a dependable summer green. Sow from spring through summer.
- Sydney and Perth: sow from mid spring to early summer once the soil is warm. In Perth, choose a warm spot near the coast and keep the sand moist.
- Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart: not reliable outdoors; summers are too short and cool. Grow silverbeet or a summer lettuce instead.
How to plant
- Wait until the soil is warm, at least about 24°C, from late spring.
- Soak the seed overnight to speed germination.
- Sow about 1 cm deep at the base of a trellis, with seeds about 10 to 20 cm apart, and thin to about 30 to 40 cm between plants.
- Keep the soil damp. Seed can take one to three weeks to come up.
- Protect young seedlings from snails and birds, then guide the vines onto the support.
- You can also grow new plants from stem cuttings, which root easily in moist mix.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, more often in hot, dry weather. Leaves grown in dry soil are smaller and tougher.
Malabar spinach is a heavy feeder. Dig compost into the bed and feed with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser every couple of weeks once seedlings are growing, for fast, leafy growth.
Pruning and care through the year
- Pinch out the growing tips often. This makes the vine branch and gives more young leaves.
- Thin out tangled growth so light and air reach the inner leaves.
- Remove flower spikes if you want to delay seeding. The plant self-seeds where it is happy, so pull out unwanted seedlings.
Harvesting
Start picking about two months after sowing, once the vine is climbing well. Pick young leaves and tender tips; the youngest are the most tender. Regular cut-and-come-again picking keeps new growth coming all summer.
Use the leaves within a few days. They keep for up to about three days in a bag in the fridge.
Growing in pots
It grows well in a pot at least 25 cm wide and deep, with a trellis or obelisk to climb. Keep the mix moist and feed often, as potted plants dry out and run out of food quickly in summer.
Using it
Cook the leaves and young stems in stir fries, curries, soups and stews, where they taste like spinach and the slightly sticky sap thickens the dish. Young tips can also be eaten raw in salads. The purple berries of the red-stemmed type have been used as a food colouring.
Pests and diseases
Malabar spinach has few problems in warm weather. Young seedlings are the most at risk.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids Clusters of small soft insects on the growing tips, with curled new leaves.
- Snails Holes chewed in seedlings and young leaves, mostly after rain.
Malabar Spinach is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
Is Malabar spinach the same as spinach?
No. Malabar or Ceylon spinach (Basella alba) is a different plant, a climbing vine, but its cooked leaves taste similar to spinach. Unlike true spinach, it grows best in hot weather.
Is Malabar spinach a perennial?
In the tropics it can keep growing for more than a year. In cooler areas it is grown as a summer annual, as cold weather stops it and frost kills it.
Can you eat Malabar spinach raw?
Yes. Young leaves and tender tips can be eaten raw in salads, and the leaves and stems are also cooked in stir fries, soups and curries.
Why is Malabar spinach slimy?
The leaves and stems contain a sticky sap, similar to okra. It is normal, and the texture is similar to okra. It also helps thicken soups and stews.
How do I grow Malabar spinach from cuttings?
Take a piece of stem with a few leaves, remove the lower leaves, and push it into moist potting mix or soil in a warm, shaded spot. It roots readily.
Can I grow Malabar spinach in Melbourne?
It is not reliable there, as the warm season is too short and cool. Silverbeet and summer lettuce are better leafy greens for southern summers.
Sources we checked: NParks GardeningSG (Singapore National Parks): Ceylon spinach; Australian Seed (abseeds): Spinach, Ceylon or Malabar; Green Harvest: Stir fry greens.