Start indoors or direct sow?

Start indoors and transplant in short-season areas, or direct sow where summers are long and warm. It dislikes cold soil more than transplanting, so wait for reliably warm conditions either way.

When to start Malabar Spinach seeds

Start indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost only if you can keep seedlings warm, then transplant after frost danger has passed. Direct sow 1 to 2 weeks after the last frost, once soil is at least about 70 F.

How to sow the seeds

Soak seeds overnight or nick the seed coat lightly, then sow 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in a sterile seed-starting mix. Use individual 2- to 3-inch pots or large cells so roots are disturbed as little as possible.

Germination

Seeds commonly germinate in 10 to 20 days in soil around 70 to 85 F. Keep the mix consistently moist but not wet, and use a heat mat if indoor conditions are cool.

Seedling care

Provide bright light, or a grow light kept close above seedlings, and water when the mix begins to dry at the surface. Maintain airflow and avoid overwatering to prevent damping off, and thin direct-sown plants to about 12 inches apart.

Transplanting & hardening off

Harden plants off for 7 to 10 days, then transplant only after nights are warm and all frost risk has passed. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart and provide a trellis or other support at planting time.

Tips

Do not confuse it with cool-season spinach, it grows best in summer heat. Saving seed is easy only if plants have enough time to flower and ripen berries before frost.

General seed-starting guidance for US home gardens; timing depends on your local frost dates and variety. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.