PlantFiles: Ceylon Spinach, Climbing Spinach, Indian Spinach
Basella alba

I live in Southern New Jersey, USA. I was given a bag of seeds from the wife of my primary care physician, whom has passed, to plant in remembrance of him. She said they were his favorite and they were a dark purple flower with hardy leaves. She never said they grew as vines though.... In apprx. the end of May, I tossed these seeds in the garden on the side of my house. Assuming they really wouldn't grow b/c I have in no way a green thumb. Well, they have gown into the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen. They have grown up the side of my house, appx 4 ft. and still growing. They are actually growing as ground cover and climbing. They are a hardy plant with gorgeous, ornamental looking flowers. I spaced them about 6 inches apart and threw 5-6 seeds in each two inch hole. Then threw 2-3 inches of mulch over that. And they still came up and are absolutely a conversation piece. I think the BEST part of this is that they do produce "pea pod" like pods on the vines. Sooooo, I will always have seeds and be able to share seeds. Bottom line, even if you do not have a green thumb, this plant will make you "look" like a professional. Good luck and enjoy!

I am growing Ceylon Spinach in Far North Queensland, Australia. Not only is it an extremely attractive plant it certainly is edible. Young leaves and shoots are great in salads, and the older leaves, shredded, are good in stir fries. But be aware the larger leaves can be a little bitter.
We are having great success with it in our aquaponics system as well as the more conventional garden growing.
My propagation method is just cuttings.
I have become aware of a green variety commonly called "Sweet leaf" by my elderly gardening friend. Does any one know anything of this ?

Great Plant. I grew it in Oklahoma from a big clay pot on my deck. It lasted all summer and produced beautiful burgundy leaves and little pink flowers that turned into purple seeds. I understand it is edible. It makes a great vine for your deck railing. Very unusual and conversation starter. I now have it growing in the pot inside as a house plant after I cut it back for the winter.

I grow Ceylon Spinach in Queensland, Australia. It grows like a weed in the hot, humid summer we have here. The more humidity and rain, the faster it grows. My plants are flowering now and will develop purple fleshy seed pods which will stay fleshy for several weeks and then begin to dry to a black seed. I then collect the seed to sow again in November, which is the beginning of our summer. If I don't collect the seed it will drop off and sow itself.

If you cut off a piece of the plant stem and place in a jar of water it will grow roots within a week and can then be planted out.