Spinach Ceylon Red Stem Seeds

$3.90

Size

Basella alba var. rubra

Ceylon Red Stem Spinach, also known as Malabar Spinach or Indian Running Spinach, is a vigorous tropical vine grown for its attractive red stems and abundant, glossy green leaves. Unlike true spinach, this heat-loving perennial thrives through the hottest months of the year, making it an excellent summer substitute when traditional leafy greens struggle.

The tender young leaves are delicious fresh in salads, while larger leaves and shoots can be lightly cooked, added to stir-fries or used in soups and stews. As the leaves mature they develop a characteristic mucilaginous texture, traditionally valued for naturally thickening soups and broths. Rich in vitamins A and C, iron, calcium and chlorophyll, Malabar Spinach is both highly nutritious and productive.

Plants can be trained up trellises, fences and arches or allowed to trail across the ground as a living mulch. In tropical and subtropical climates it behaves as a hardy perennial, while in cooler regions it is commonly grown as a warm-season annual.

Approximately 36 seeds per gram
Approximately 40 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: Year round
Subtropics: September to March
Mild climates: October to February
Cold climates: Spring and summer after frost

Planting / Sowing

Sow seed 10 mm deep directly into prepared soil or seedling trays once temperatures are consistently warm. Space plants 10–30 cm apart along a trellis or support structure, with rows approximately 100 cm apart.

Grow in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil enriched with compost. Water regularly during hot weather and provide support for climbing plants. Harvest leaves and young shoots continuously from around 70 days after sowing, encouraging fresh growth throughout the season.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

$3.90