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| Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program
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'Red Malabar' Spinach - Malabar |
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| Sub-Category: |
None
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| Sub-Category 2: |
| | Description: |
Vining, warm-season plant. Darker (than 'Green Malabar') green leaves and deep purple-red stems. Also known as 'Malabar Red Stem' and 'Red Vine'.
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| Days To Maturity: |
60-85
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| Seed Sources: |
Seed Savers Exchange - updated in 2014
Underwood Gardens - updated in 2011
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| Rating Summary |
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Overall: (3.4 Stars)
Taste: (2.8 Stars)
Yield: (4.2 Stars)
Ease/Reliability: (3.8 Stars) |
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| Reviews |
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Login to share your Review of Red Malabar.
Number of Reviews: 5
KEY: O=Overall Rating, T=Taste, Y=Yield, E=Ease
Reviewed on 11/14/2010 by
gardengab
- An experienced gardener
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Overall
 Taste
 Yield
Ease
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Lake, California, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
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| I grew it for two years in a row: the second year mostly for its ornamental quality. I bought it as a hot weather spinach replacement, and while it does very well in our sweltering summers, the taste isn't worth wasting space with it for me. It does look beautiful, though, and was totally pest free, so if you're looking for a low maintenance ornamental that can be eaten in a pinch, this is a good choice. It self seeded, but won't survive without irrigation in our climate. |
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Reviewed on 07/31/2009 by
dahut
- An intermediate gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Aiken, South Carolina, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
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| 2009 was my first year for this variety. I found it was little problem to grow and was generally a self-volunteer. It started well once the weather warmed, but until average temps rose above 75 degrees, it was a hang fire.
I like the "spinachy" taste, but enjoy the more toothsome texture. It's greatest attribute is that it tolerates heat when normal spinach would bolt and grow 3 feet tall! |
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Reviewed on 04/28/2009 by
sherdygerdy
- An experienced gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Cleburne, Arkansas, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
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| I love to grow this and my husband likes it but a little to slimmie for me. We are going to plant again this mostly for our goats and as a privacy fence. |
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Reviewed on 01/25/2009 by
morgan in austin
- An intermediate gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Travis, Texas, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
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| I didn't have much trouble starting it, and it grew well and survived the blast furnace of summer.
But -- with its sort of heavy slimy taste, why do I want the stuff anyway?
It is kind of fun to let it go to seed and squeeze the bright purply red color from the berries. |
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Reviewed on 01/19/2005 by
james
- An experienced gardener
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Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease
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Pennsylvania, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: Less than 6 hours per day
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| Difficult to start from seed. Germination to seedling poor. Once seedling grows to third level of leaves, plant becomes very hardy and quick growing. Spirals up a pole or planting stick. Usually grows beyond six feet tall. Picking the largest leaves causes the plant to re-grow two leaves for each picked. Great space saver. Taste like a cross between card and spinach. Eat raw or cooked. |
| | | 1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.
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Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program, © 2004-2025, All Rights Reserved
Cornell Garden Based Learning, Cornell University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Horticulture Section
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