Sow Right Seeds - Malabar Red Stem Spinach Seeds (Basella alba Rubra) – Non-GMO Heirloom, Heat-Tolerant, Edible & Ornamental

Discover Malabar Red Stem Spinach from Sow Right Seeds — a vibrant, heat-loving variety ideal for sun-drenched gardens. Basella alba 'Rubra' features tender, heart-shaped leaves and striking red stems, offering both edible harvests and eye-catching ornament.

Designed for warm seasons, this vine can reach up to 10 feet, weaving along trellises with minimal care. In the garden, it thrives when many other greens wilt, making it a reliable late-spring through summer crop in USDA zones 2-11.

Why gardeners choose Malabar Red Stem Spinach

• Heat tolerance: Performs in high temperatures when other greens struggle.
• Edible and ornamental: A fast-growing vine with beautiful foliage and edible leaves.
• High yield: Known for abundant harvests, making it a practical substitute or supplement to traditional spinach.
• Non-GMO heirloom: Seed is part of a heritage variety, produced in a safe seed program.

Growing on a simple schedule

Germination typically occurs in 10–21 days when soil is 70–80°F. Plant 1/2 inch deep and space about 12 inches apart in full sun. Expect maturity in 55–80 days, depending on climate and care. The plant can reach up to 10 feet tall in ideal conditions.

• Plant in full sun with well-drained soil.
• Spacing ensures air flow and steady vine growth.
• Fast-to-harvest: leaves become ready for salads or sautéing as soon as they appear.

Easy to grow, with helpful support

Each packet includes clear instructions, and Sow Right Seeds offers friendly support for germination questions. If seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.

Safe, sustainable gardening

Our operation is fully solar powered, and we follow the Safe Seed Pledge to offer fresh, non-GMO heirloom seeds. Planting and growing these seeds supports a conscious, community-minded approach to home gardening.

With Malabar Red Stem Spinach, you can enjoy vibrant foliage and flavorful greens in one versatile plant—ideal for warm-season cooks, container gardeners, and ornamental border plantings alike. In the kitchen, the leaves offer a mild, spinach-like flavor that works well raw in salads or lightly sautéed for quick meals, while the red stems add color and visual interest to plates.