Basella alba var. rubra, commonly known as Red Malabar Spinach or Red Vine Spinach, is a heat-loving perennial climbing vine native to tropical Asia. Characterized by red or purple stems and green leaves, it is valued as both an edible leafy vegetable and ornamental plant. The plant is frost-tender and requires warm temperatures to thrive.
Before sowing
Mechanical scarification and warm water soaking both hasten germination; seeds require light for germination
Sowing
What to expect
Tips
Seeds need light to germinate (plant at 1/4 inch depth or on soil surface). Optimal soil temperature for germination is 70-80°F (21-27°C). Plants will not grow vigorously until nighttime temperatures exceed 60°F. Germination is relatively slow without pre-treatment. Fast-growing vine once established; reaches maturity in 60-90 days.
Sources: Florida Cultivation Guide (IFAS UF), Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, North Carolina Extension, Tropical Plants Database (Ken Fern), Academic journals on Basella spp., Seed company growing guides
