leafy · transplant · beginner friendly
Malabar Spinach: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating malabar spinach a few times a week needs about 32 plants in ~64 sq ft, worth about $192 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$4.00/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 8 | ~16 sq ft | ~11 | ~$48 |
| 2 people | 16 | ~32 sq ft | ~22 | ~$96 |
| 4 people | 32 | ~64 sq ft | ~43 | ~$192 |
| 6 people | 48 | ~96 sq ft | ~64 | ~$288 |
Spacing
12" in row · 24" between rows
Sow depth
0.5"
Days to harvest
55 from transplant (70 from seed)
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Jun 5 – Jul 24 | — |
| Zone 4 | May 31 – Jul 19 | — |
| Zone 5 | May 21 – Jul 9 | — |
| Zone 6 | May 11 – Jun 29 | — |
| Zone 7 | Apr 26 – Jun 14 | — |
| Zone 8 | Apr 15 – Jun 3 | — |
| Zone 9 | Mar 13 – May 1 | — |
| Zone 10 | Feb 21 – Apr 11 | — |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Pick young leaves and 4-inch vine tips once the vine takes off; heat makes it produce faster.
Yield
About 1.5 lbs per plant over ~12 productive weeks (~1.5 lb).
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Malabar Spinach planting questions
How many malabar spinach plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 8 plants per person. A family of 4 needs about 32 plants, which takes around 64 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does malabar spinach need?+
Space plants 12" apart in the row with 24" between rows. Sow 0.5" deep. Start indoors, transplant out.
When should I plant malabar spinach?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing malabar spinach worth it?+
At about $4.00/lb retail and ~1.5 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $192 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.