Malabar Spinach in Zone 8a & 8b
Basella rubra
Yes, Malabar spinach grows in zones 8a and 8b. Start seeds indoors Feb 11–Feb 18 and plant out Apr 1–Apr 8.
When to plant Malabar spinach in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b 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 11–Feb 18 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 1–Apr 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 10–Jun 17 (~70 days after planting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 6-10 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of Malabar spinach in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoApr 8–Apr 15
- Bush BeansApr 1–Apr 8
- Sweet CornApr 1–Apr 8
- CucumberApr 1–Apr 8
- ZucchiniApr 1–Apr 8
- Winter SquashApr 1–Apr 8
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 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Malabar spinach needs about 70 days from sowing to first harvest.
Malabar Spinach planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b 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 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jun 26–Jul 3 |
| 8a & 8b (your zone) | 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)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Malabar Spinach in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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