Malabar spinach

Basella alba

Family: Basellaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Not researchedPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

leaves, stems, fruit sap (as a food colouring)

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

None stated by NC State (leaves eaten raw or cooked).

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not yet checked.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No ASPCA page for Malabar spinach was found, so no pet verdict can be recorded; this is not a finding that it is safe. NC State's Basella alba page has no poison section and no pet-problem tag.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: NC State lists 'Ceylon spinach', 'Indian spinach' and 'vine spinach' as names for this same plant. General plant knowledge (not stated on the NC State page): Malabar spinach is not true spinach (Spinacia), water spinach or New Zealand spinach. ASPCA's list has a different plant, Malabar gourd (fig-leaf gourd, Cucurbita ficifolia); do not map that entry onto this plant..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 9a to 11b (NC State); very frost sensitive. NC State also says to direct seed in zone 7 and warmer 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost date. USDA system; no Australian climate-zone figure read.
Water needs: Moist, well-drained, moisture-retentive soil; soil "must be kept moist" in hot weather (NC State)
Mature size: Height 3 to 6 ft, width 2 to 3 ft (NC State); the vine typically reaches six feet but can reach 30 ft in length. Spacing: NC State: available space to plant 12 inches to 3 ft; it needs a sturdy trellis or fence.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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