Saving Malabar Spinach Seeds
Have you heard of malabar spinach? It’s a staple in my garden these days since it’s a wonderful spinach alternative that loves hot, humid weather. Unlike traditional spinach, which will bolt and go to seed at the first hint of heat, malabar spinach thrives!
It’s also prolific in its production of seeds you can easily save to grow next year. Want to learn more? Check out my video below or read on.
Step 1: Identify mature berries
The first step is to identify mature berries on your malabar spinach plant. The berries are largely ornamental, but they contain seeds, so you want to make sure they’ve matured before picking them.
Immature berries are light green and pink (below, left photo). Mature berries are plump and dark purple, almost black (below, right photo). Snip off a few stems with clusters of mature berries.
Step 2: Dry the berries
After you’ve snipped the stems with mature berries, you have a choice to make. You can either remove the berries from the stems and dry them, or you can leave them on the stem and dry them. Either way is fine, but here are a few things to keep in mind.
Removing the berries before drying
- Pro: The berries will dry much faster if you remove them from the stem first,
- Con: The berries contain a highly pigmented magenta juice that is actually used as a dye in some parts of the world. It will make a mess and stain your hands, so I recommend working with disposable gloves and putting the berries on a paper towel.
Leaving the berries on the stem to dry
- Pro: This option is less messy. You’ll likely have some berry juice, so I recommend putting the stems on a paper towel. But overall, much less mess.
- Con: The berries will take much more time to dry if you leave them on the stems.
Step 3: Store appropriately
Once the berries are totally dry, you can store them until next spring. If you’re storing them in an air-tight container, make sure they are completely dry. Any additional moisture will lead to mold growth in an air-tight container. You can always choose a paper bag instead. Enjoy!
