The Malabar Spinach is a common vagetable in tropical Africa and southeast Asia, where it originated. Only the young leaves are eaten. To prepare, boil and discard water. Young leaves can be added to a green salad. Cultural Practices: The Malabar Spinach is a tender perennial grown as an annual in most of the USA. It needs regular water and fertilizing. Propagation: Start the seeds indoor at 70°F (21°C) in mid January. Plant outside in early March or after the last frosts. Go back to Desert Tropicals Home Page | Check for more members of the Basellaceae family © 1998-1999 Philippe Faucon, All Rights Reserved.