Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southeastern Asia, India
South-Eastern Asia, Southeastern Asia, Polynesia
Types
Red Malabar Spinach, Green Malabar Spinach
Gold Dust Croton, Banana Croton
Habitat
Hot climate regions, Humid climates
Along Railroads, Pastures, Roadsides, Sandy areas, Waste areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
-9999
9-15
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 23, 24
Habit
Vining/Climbing
Upright/Erect
Flower Color
Red, Green, Orange Red
White, Yellow
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
White, Ivory
Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green
White, Yellow, Purple, Orange, Light Green, Chartreuse, Lime Green, Dark Green, Light Yellow, Lemon yellow, Yellow green, Gold
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
Chartreuse, Lime Green, Dark Green, Light Yellow, Lemon yellow, Yellow green, Gold, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Crimson, Dark Red, Copper, Bronze, Orange Red, Ivory
Leaf Color in Fall
Purple, Gray Green
White, Yellow, Purple, Orange, Light Green, Chartreuse, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Crimson, Dark Red, Copper, Bronze, Orange Red, Ivory
Leaf Color in Winter
Purple, Gray Green
White, Yellow, Purple, Orange, Light Green, Gold, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Crimson, Dark Red, Copper, Bronze, Orange Red, Ivory
Leaf Shape
Heart-shaped
Long Elliptic
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
-
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
Tolerances
Drought
Cold climate
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Leaf Cutting, Seedlings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
Do not let dry out between waterings, Requires consistently moist soil
Requires consistently moist soil, Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season
In Summer
Average Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Less Watering
Soil pH
Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves
Prune in spring, Remove branches that rub together
Fertilizers
Nitrogen
Less fertilizing
Pests and Diseases
Aphids
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought
Flowers
Showy
Insignificant
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
Yes
Foliage Texture
Medium
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Glossy
Attracts
-
Butterflies, Insects
Allergy
-
Dizziness, Eczema, Itchiness, Skin irritation, Skin rash, Vomiting
Aesthetic Uses
-
Beautification, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Improve hair condition, Skin Problems
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Prevent Soil Erosion
Medicinal Uses
Folate, Iron, Low calories, Low Fats, Rich in Potassium, ß-carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C
Bronchitis, Gallbladder Diseases, Gout, Joint pain, Malaria, Nerve pain, Upset stomach
Part of Plant Used
Leaves
Seeds, Whole plant
Other Uses
Used As Food
Decoration Purposes, Employed in herbal medicine, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
No
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Edible, Groundcover, Herb / Vegetable, Tropical, Vine
Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Screening, Wind Break, Tropical
Botanical Name
BASELLA alba
CODIAEUM variegatum
Common Name
Ceylon Spinach, Malabar Spinach, Red Malabar Spinach
Rushfoil, Croton
In Hindi
पोई
क्रोटोन प्लांट
In German
Malabarspinat
Kroton
In French
L’épinard de Malabar
Croton
In Spanish
espinaca de Malabar
Croton Planta
In Greek
Malabar Σπανάκι
Κρότωνα φυτών
In Portuguese
Malabar espinafre
cróton
In Polish
Szpinak Malabar
Kroto roślin
In Latin
Spinach Malabar
Planta Croton
Class
Eudicotyledones
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Malpighiales
Family
Basellaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Season and Care of Malabar Spinach and Croton
Season and care of Malabar Spinach and Croton is important to know. While considering everything about Malabar Spinach and Croton Care, growing season is an essential factor. Malabar Spinach season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Croton season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Malabar Spinach is Clay, Loam and for Croton is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Malabar Spinach is Neutral and for Croton is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Malabar Spinach and Croton Physical Information
Malabar Spinach and Croton physical information is very important for comparison. Malabar Spinach height is 2.40 cm and width 24.00 cm whereas Croton height is 90.00 cm and width 30.00 cm. The color specification of Malabar Spinach and Croton are as follows:
Malabar Spinach flower color: Red, Green and Orange Red
Malabar Spinach leaf color: Green and Light Green
Croton flower color: White and Yellow
- Croton leaf color: White, Yellow, Purple, Orange, Light Green, Chartreuse, Lime Green, Dark Green, Light Yellow, Lemon yellow, Yellow green and Gold
Care of Malabar Spinach and Croton
Care of Malabar Spinach and Croton include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Malabar Spinach pruning is done Remove damaged leaves and Remove dead leaves and Croton pruning is done Prune in spring and Remove branches that rub together. In summer Malabar Spinach needs Average Water and in winter, it needs Average Water. Whereas, in summer Croton needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Less Watering.