Malabar spinach Plant Care
Basella alba L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Basella alba is a perennial vine in the family Basellaceae. It is also known by common names including Malabar spinach, vine spinach, Ceylon spinach, alugbati and Indian spinach.
Every 5–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Malabar spinach?
Water Malabar spinach every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the Malabar spinach?
Malabar spinach (Basella alba) belongs to the Basellaceae family within the Basella genus. Malabar spinach is also known as Ceylon spinach, Indian spinach, Vine spinach.
Malabar spinach displays a vining or climbing growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Malabar spinach produces small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Malabar spinach?
Basella alba requires watering every 5–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Malabar spinach Need?
Malabar spinach thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Malabar spinach Prefer?
Basella alba grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Malabar spinach prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Malabar spinach?
Rich, well-draining soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Malabar spinach to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Malabar spinach?
Feed Malabar spinach every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Malabar spinach?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Malabar spinach?
Malabar spinach can be propagated through stem cuttings, seeds.
Is the Malabar spinach Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Malabar spinach, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Malabar spinach?
Malabar spinach is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Malabar spinach Need?
Malabar spinach grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Malabar spinach as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Malabar spinach is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Basella genus — compare its care with other Basella species on PlantoScan.
Basella is part of the Basellaceae plant family — browse all Basellaceae genera and species.
Malabar spinach thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Basella alba L., family Basellaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 272 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Malabar spinach, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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