Life Span
Annual and Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Vegetable
  
Vegetable
  
Origin
North America, Mexico, Central America
  
Southeastern Asia, India
  
Types
Winter squash, Field pumpkin, Crookneck pumpkin
  
Red Malabar Spinach, Green Malabar Spinach
  
Habitat
close to waterfalls, Riverbanks, Warmer regions, waterways, Wet ground
  
Hot climate regions, Humid climates
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
1-6
  
Not Available
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-1
  
12*7
  
Sunset Zone
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
  
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
  
Habit
Vining/Climbing
  
Vining/Climbing
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Yellow
  
Red, Green, Orange Red
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Orange Red, Yellow Brown
  
White, Ivory
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green
  
Green, Light Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
  
Green, Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Dark Green
  
Purple, Gray Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Purple, Gray Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Heart-shaped
  
Heart-shaped
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Early Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Growth Rate
Very Fast
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Well drained
  
Clay, Loam
  
The pH of Soil
Neutral
  
Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Summer
  
Not Available
  
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Drought
  
Drought
  
Where to Plant?
Ground
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings
  
Leaf Cutting, Seedlings
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Keep the ground moist but not water-logged, Requires consistently moist soil, Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season, Water in the early morning hours
  
Do not let dry out between waterings, Requires consistently moist soil
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Average Water
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Neutral
  
Neutral
  
Soil Type
Loam
  
Clay, Loam
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove Vines
  
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
Apply 5-10-5 amounts, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium
  
Nitrogen
  
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
  
Aphids
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought
  
Flowers
No
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
Yes
  
Edible Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
No
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Coarse
  
Medium
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
Yes
  
Invasive
No
  
Sometimes
  
Self-Sowing
Yes
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Beetles, Bugs
  
Not Available
  
Allergy
Asthma, breathing problems, Itchiness, Nasal Congestion, Swelling, Swelling in the face
  
Not Available
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Not Used For Aesthetic Purpose
  
Not Used For Aesthetic Purpose
  
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin and hair, Not Available, Skin cleanser, Skin Problems
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Anemia, Antibacterial, anti-cancer, cholesterol-lowering, Fertility, High blood pressure, Immunity, Liver problems, Prevention of convulsion, Regulates Blood Sugar
  
Folate, Iron, Low calories, Low Fats, Rich in Potassium, ß-carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C
  
Part of Plant Used
Fruits, Leaves, Seeds
  
Leaves
  
Other Uses
Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
  
Used As Food
  
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Vine
  
Container, Edible, Groundcover, Herb / Vegetable, Tropical, Vine
  
Botanical Name
CUCURBITA pepo 'Wolf'
  
BASELLA alba
  
Common Name
Pumpkin
  
Ceylon Spinach, Malabar Spinach, Red Malabar Spinach
  
In Hindi
कद्दू
  
पोई
  
In German
Kürbis
  
Malabarspinat
  
In French
Citrouille
  
L’épinard de Malabar
  
In Spanish
Calabaza
  
espinaca de Malabar
  
In Greek
Κολοκύθι
  
Malabar Σπανάκι
  
In Portuguese
Abóbora
  
Malabar espinafre
  
In Polish
Dynia
  
Szpinak Malabar
  
In Latin
cucurbita
  
Spinach Malabar
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Eudicotyledones
  
Order
Violales
  
Caryophyllales
  
Family
Cucurbitaceae
  
Basellaceae
  
Genus
Cucurbita
  
Basella
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Cucurbiteae
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Cucurbitoideae
  
Not Available
  
Number of Species
Not Available