Malabar Spinach in Zone 7a & 7b
Basella rubra
Yes, Malabar spinach grows in zones 7a and 7b. Start seeds indoors Feb 27–Mar 6 and plant out Apr 17–Apr 24.
When to plant Malabar spinach in zone 7b
Zones 7a and 7b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Feb 27–Mar 6 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 17–Apr 24 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 26–Jul 3 (~70 days after planting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 6-10 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 7b
These go outside within two weeks of Malabar spinach in zone 7b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoApr 24–May 1
- Bush BeansApr 17–Apr 24
- Sweet CornApr 17–Apr 24
- CucumberApr 17–Apr 24
- ZucchiniApr 17–Apr 24
- Winter SquashApr 17–Apr 24
Malabar spinach isn't a true spinach at all, but a heat-loving vining green with a mild flavor and a thicker, more heat-tolerant texture than actual spinach, which bolts and turns bitter the moment summer heats up.
How Malabar spinach fits zone 7's season
Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. Malabar spinach needs about 70 days from sowing to first harvest.
Malabar Spinach planting windows in every zone
Zone 7b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a & 5b | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 17–May 24 | Jul 26–Aug 2 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 14–Mar 21 | May 2–May 9 | Jul 11–Jul 18 |
| 7a & 7b (your zone) | Feb 27–Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jun 26–Jul 3 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 11–Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 10–Jun 17 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 4–Jan 11 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 19–Dec 26 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 20–Nov 27 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | Mar 19–Mar 26 |
Harvest dates are about 70 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for Malabar spinach.
Where to buy Malabar spinach seeds
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Red Malabar spinach (Basella rubra): Johnny's Selected Seeds sells this red-stemmed form as its main Malabar spinach offering; the growing requirements are the same as the plain green form, so this is what most gardeners plant. Buy: True Leaf Market · Burpee Full notes
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing Malabar spinach" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
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Growing Malabar Spinach in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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