Despite the name, Malabar spinach isn't related to true spinach at all -- it's a tropical vining plant grown for its succulent leaves, and its seed comes from small berries that need to fully darken before the seed inside is worth saving.
New to terms like isolation distance or outcrossing? See the Seed-Saving Glossary.
Seed-Saving Difficulty
●
Moderate Difficulty
Low to moderate crossing risk.
How It's Pollinated
Mostly self-pollinating, with some insect visitation
(Low to moderate crossing risk)
Scientific name: Basella alba
Domestic Crops It Can Cross With
- Red-stem and green-stem varieties can cross with each other
Wild Relatives & Feral Species
- No significant wild relatives in most home garden regions
Separation Distances Required
Minimum: 20-30m between varieties
Recommended: 50m for extra security
Strict: Bag flower clusters for guaranteed purity
Seed-Saving Strategies
- Grown as a tropical perennial vine or warm-season annual
- Allow the small berries to fully ripen to a dark purple-black
- Squeeze out the single seed from each berry and dry
- Store dry -- viable 3-4 years