Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southeastern Asia, India
North America, United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Texas, Canada, Mexico
Types
Red Malabar Spinach, Green Malabar Spinach
Sorghastrum nutans
Habitat
Hot climate regions, Humid climates
Grassland, low mountains, Semi desert, Woodlands
USDA Hardiness Zone
-9999
4-9
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
7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Vining/Climbing
Clump-Forming
Flower Color
Red, Green, Orange Red
-
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
White, Ivory
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green
Light Green, Blue Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Purple, Gray Green
Blue Green, Burgundy, Copper
Leaf Color in Winter
Purple, Gray Green
Tan
Leaf Shape
Heart-shaped
Linear
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
-
Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
Tolerances
Drought
Drought, Salt
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground
How to Plant?
Leaf Cutting, Seedlings
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
Do not let dry out between waterings, Requires consistently moist soil
Average Water Needs
In Summer
Average Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Requires very little pruning
Fertilizers
Nitrogen
No fertilizers needed
Pests and Diseases
Aphids
Insects
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought and Salt
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Medium
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Allergy
-
Skin irritation
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
Folate, Iron, Low calories, Low Fats, Rich in Potassium, ß-carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C
-
Part of Plant Used
Leaves
Whole plant
Other Uses
Used As Food
Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Edible, Groundcover, Herb / Vegetable, Tropical, Vine
Dried Flower/Everlasting, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Wildflower
Botanical Name
BASELLA alba
SORGHASTRUM nutans
Common Name
Ceylon Spinach, Malabar Spinach, Red Malabar Spinach
Indian Grass
In German
Malabarspinat
Indian Grass
In French
L’épinard de Malabar
Herbe indienne
In Spanish
espinaca de Malabar
Hierba india
In Greek
Malabar Σπανάκι
Ινδικό Grass
In Portuguese
Malabar espinafre
grama indianas
In Polish
Szpinak Malabar
Indyjski Trawa
In Latin
Spinach Malabar
Indian Grass
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Eudicotyledones
Liliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Poales
Family
Basellaceae
Poaceae
Genus
Basella
Sorghastrum
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Season and Care of Malabar Spinach and Indian Grass
Season and care of Malabar Spinach and Indian Grass is important to know. While considering everything about Malabar Spinach and Indian Grass Care, growing season is an essential factor. Malabar Spinach season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Indian Grass season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Malabar Spinach is Clay, Loam and for Indian Grass is Clay, Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Malabar Spinach is Neutral and for Indian Grass is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Malabar Spinach and Indian Grass Physical Information
Malabar Spinach and Indian Grass physical information is very important for comparison. Malabar Spinach height is 2.40 cm and width 24.00 cm whereas Indian Grass height is 90.00 cm and width 45.70 cm. The color specification of Malabar Spinach and Indian Grass are as follows:
Malabar Spinach flower color: Red, Green and Orange Red
Malabar Spinach leaf color: Green and Light Green
Indian Grass flower color:
- Indian Grass leaf color: Light Green and Blue Green
Care of Malabar Spinach and Indian Grass
Care of Malabar Spinach and Indian Grass include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Malabar Spinach pruning is done Remove damaged leaves and Remove dead leaves and Indian Grass pruning is done Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves and Requires very little pruning. In summer Malabar Spinach needs Average Water and in winter, it needs Average Water. Whereas, in summer Indian Grass needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.