Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southeastern Asia, India
Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Southwestern United States, Texas, Canada, Mexico
Types
Red Malabar Spinach, Green Malabar Spinach
Ratibida columnifera
Habitat
Hot climate regions, Humid climates
Dry areas, Prairies, Rocky areas, rocky outcrops
USDA Hardiness Zone
-9999
3-10
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
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Vining/Climbing
Upright/Erect
Flower Color
Red, Green, Orange Red
Yellow, Purple, Burgundy, Light Green, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
White, Ivory
Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green
Light Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
Light Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Purple, Gray Green
Light Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Purple, Gray Green
Light Green
Leaf Shape
Heart-shaped
Subulate
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Summer
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral
Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
-
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
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, Water in morning to avoid prompting diseases
In Summer
Average Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil Type
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves
Cut or pinch the stems, Pinch Tips, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead flowers, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove deadheads
Fertilizers
Nitrogen
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Apply N-P-K
Pests and Diseases
Aphids
Pests and diseases free, Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry Conditions, Dry soil, Full Sun
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Medium
Fine
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Attracts
-
Birds, Butterflies
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
Folate, Iron, Low calories, Low Fats, Rich in Potassium, ß-carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C
Analgesic
Part of Plant Used
Leaves
Flowers
Other Uses
Used As Food
Can be made into a herbal tea, Used in making tea
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Edible, Groundcover, Herb / Vegetable, Tropical, Vine
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Wildflower
Botanical Name
BASELLA alba
RATIBIDA columnifera
Common Name
Ceylon Spinach, Malabar Spinach, Red Malabar Spinach
Mexican Hat
In German
Malabarspinat
Mexican Hat
In French
L’épinard de Malabar
Mexican Hat
In Spanish
espinaca de Malabar
mexican Hat
In Greek
Malabar Σπανάκι
Mexican Hat
In Portuguese
Malabar espinafre
Mexican Hat
In Polish
Szpinak Malabar
Mexican Hat
In Latin
Spinach Malabar
Mexicanus Hat
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Eudicotyledones
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Asterales
Family
Basellaceae
Asteraceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Season and Care of Malabar Spinach and Mexican Hat
Season and care of Malabar Spinach and Mexican Hat is important to know. While considering everything about Malabar Spinach and Mexican Hat Care, growing season is an essential factor. Malabar Spinach season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Mexican Hat season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Malabar Spinach is Clay, Loam and for Mexican Hat is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Malabar Spinach is Neutral and for Mexican Hat is Neutral.
Malabar Spinach and Mexican Hat Physical Information
Malabar Spinach and Mexican Hat physical information is very important for comparison. Malabar Spinach height is 2.40 cm and width 24.00 cm whereas Mexican Hat height is 30.00 cm and width 30.50 cm. The color specification of Malabar Spinach and Mexican Hat are as follows:
Malabar Spinach flower color: Red, Green and Orange Red
Malabar Spinach leaf color: Green and Light Green
Mexican Hat flower color: Yellow, Purple, Burgundy, Light Green and Brown
- Mexican Hat leaf color: Light Green and Gray Green
Care of Malabar Spinach and Mexican Hat
Care of Malabar Spinach and Mexican Hat include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Malabar Spinach pruning is done Remove damaged leaves and Remove dead leaves and Mexican Hat pruning is done Cut or pinch the stems, Pinch Tips, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead flowers, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts and Remove deadheads. In summer Malabar Spinach needs Average Water and in winter, it needs Average Water. Whereas, in summer Mexican Hat needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.