Basella alba

RHS Plant Profile

Ceylon spinach

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Other common names

East Indian spinach, Indian spinach, Malabar nightshade, Malabar spinach, red Malabar nightshade

Synonyms

Basella rubra

Climber Wall Shrub

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A climbing or scrambling perennial that is grown as a summer annual in Britain. Edible leaves are used in similar ways to spinach. Small white flowers, sometimes with purplish tints, make this an attractive addition to a vegetable garden

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Clay

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1 year
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Clay

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Neutral or Acid or Alkaline

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Basellaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Genus
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant out after the risk of frost has passed. Fertile, moisture retentive soil in full sun will produce good growth. Harvest young leaves; frequent picking will encourage more growth. Provide support for stems to twine up

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free