Red Poi or Red Malabar Spinach is a striking and nutritious tropical vining plant with deep red stems and glossy, heart-shaped leaves that range from green to purplish-green. This fast-growing, heat-loving vegetable not only brings ornamental charm to your garden but also serves as a leafy green packed with health benefits. Its attractive appearance makes it ideal for trellises, fences or hanging baskets, adding vibrant colour and lush texture to any space.
In terms of growth habit, Red Poi is a vigorous climber that thrives in warm, humid environments like the Caribbean. It grows rapidly during the rainy season and can reach lengths of 6 to 10 metres (20 to 33 feet) with proper support. This plant prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade and thrives in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. It is relatively low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established, making it perfect for home gardeners. While perennial in tropical climates, it’s often grown as an annual in cooler regions, though it can reseed or regrow easily from cuttings.
The benefits of Red Poi are extensive, both nutritionally and ecologically. Its leaves are rich in vitamins A and C, iron, calcium and antioxidants, making it an excellent addition to a healthy diet. It supports immune function, bone health and digestion. The mucilaginous texture of the leaves is soothing for the digestive tract and helps in managing inflammation. As an edible green, it can be enjoyed raw in salads, sautéed like traditional spinach, or added to soups and curries for a nutritional boost. In the garden, it acts as a natural ground cover, suppressing weeds and retaining moisture. Additionally, its flowers attract pollinators, contributing to a more vibrant, biodiverse garden ecosystem.
Red Malabar Spinach is a must-have for tropical gardens—beautiful, edible and incredibly easy to grow. Whether you’re cultivating for its health benefits or its ornamental appeal, this tropical vine delivers beauty and nourishment with minimal fuss.
Common Name: Red Poi
Botanical Names:
- Basella Alba 'Rubra'
Family: Basellaceae
Other Names:
- Ceylon Spinach
- Espinaca China
- Espinaca De Malabar
- Indian Spinach
- Malabarspinat
- Paag Prang
- Pasali
- Pu-Tin-Choi
- Red-Stemmed Malabar Spinach
- Red Malabar Spinach
- Vine Spinach
Origin: East Indies
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Red Malabar Spinach is a fast-growing, heat-loving, and visually striking vining plant that adds both beauty and function to tropical gardens. This twining climber features deep red to purple stems that provide a vibrant contrast to its lush, glossy, heart-shaped leaves, which are dark green with a slight reddish hue. As a semi-succulent, it thrives in warm, humid conditions and climbs vertically with ease, making it perfect for trellises, arbours or as a cascading accent in hanging containers.. The plant typically grows vigorously, reaching up to 33 feet when supported. Its stems are thick, fleshy and smooth to the touch, allowing it to store moisture effectively. The leaves are soft, slightly mucilaginous and edible—offering a mild, spinach-like flavour when cooked. During its flowering stage, Red Poi produces small, pink to purplish-white flowers in clusters along the stem nodes. These are followed by tiny, dark purple fruits that contain black seeds, making them easy to harvest for propagation.. This plant’s rapid, trailing growth habit and ornamental foliage make it a fantastic addition to kitchen gardens, edible landscapes and decorative vertical spaces. In the Caribbean, its resilience to high heat, tolerance of humidity and minimal pest issues make it a dependable and rewarding choice for gardeners seeking both productivity and visual impact.
Hardiness: Hardy
Poi (Red) / Malabar Spinach (Red)
Top Diameter: 7"
Height: 5.75"