Horizon Herbs Spinach Malabar Red

Basella rubra



Hardiness: protect from frost

Perennial climbing vine native to Africa and Southwestern India (the Malabar coast). This red cultivar is choice. Very quick-growing heat-tolerant spinach substitute can be grown as an annual in the temperate US, producing edible leaves in as few as 55 days. The taste is very mellow, and the leaves are pleasantly mucilagenous and very smooth in salads. Can be consumed fresh or lightly steamed as an agreeable vegetable that is high in vitamins. As an herbal medicine, the plant is used as an astringent, laxative, demulcent and as an antidote to poisons. Excellent poulticing agent, as it both draws and soothes. Plant prefers full sun and moist garden soil. Soak seed overnight in warm water and sow in the spring, either in the greenhouse or in the garden. Germinates in 10 to 15 days at 68 degrees F. Direct seeded in the spring garden. Very easy and trouble-free (the seed is big, the germination is reliable.) Provide trellis or allow to sprangle. 20 seeds/pkt., Open Pollinated