Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
India, China
Southeastern Asia, India
Types
Bead tree
Basella rubra, L.Basella oleracea, Landw.Basella lucida, L.Basella japonica, Burm.f.Basella cordifolia,
Habitat
Forest margins, Roadsides
gardens
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-15
-9999
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 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
Oval or Rounded
Vining/Climbing
Flower Color
Lavender
White, Pink, Light Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Yellow
Purple, Black
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Dark Green
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
Green, Dark Green
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring
Indeterminate
Tolerances
Cold climate, Drought, Pollution, Soil Compaction, Variety of soil types
Drought
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Rooted stem cutting, Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Medium, Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season, Water daily during growing season, Water less during winter
Keep ground moist, Requires watering in the growing season, Water Deeply, Water less during winter
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove deadheads
Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Requires very little pruning
Fertilizers
Fertilize every year, fertilize in growing season, Less fertilizing
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Insects, Red blotch
Insects, Mites
Plant Tolerance
Cold climate, Drought, Variety of soil types
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Glossy
Attracts
Birds, Butterflies
-
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
-
Environmental Uses
Absorbs greenhouse gases, Absorbs huge amounts of CO2, Air purification, Amazing growth rate, Erosion control, Food for birds, Food for insects, Forms dense stands, Nesting sites for birds, No fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides needed, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife, Soil protection, soil stabilisation, Used to establish native woodland, Very little waste, Wildlife, Windbreak
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
-
Astringent
Part of Plant Used
Seeds, Stem, Tree trunks
Fruits, Leaves
Other Uses
Air freshner, Showy Purposes, Used as firewood, Used as Ornamental plant, Wood is used for making furniture, Wood is used for ship building, Wood is used fore making tools, Wood is used in construction, Wood log is used in making fences
Culinary use, Used As Food
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Shade Trees
Container, Edible, Groundcover, Herb / Vegetable, Tropical, Vine
Botanical Name
MELIA azedarach
BASELLA alba
Common Name
Chinaberry Tree
Ceylon Spinach, Indian Spinach, Malabar Spinach
In Hindi
Chinaberry ट्री
भारतीय पालक
In German
Chinaberry -Baum
Indian Spinat
In French
Chinaberry Arbre
épinards indienne
In Spanish
Chinaberry Arbre
espinaca india
In Greek
chinaberry Δέντρο
Ινδικό Σπανάκι
In Portuguese
azederaque
espinafre indiano
In Polish
azederaque
Indyjski szpinak
In Latin
Chinaberry ligno
Spinach Indian
Order
Sapindales
Caryophyllales
Family
Meliaceae
Basellaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots