Companion plants for Malabar Spinach?

I realize lots of folks consider "companion planting" to be the stuff of folklore and myth, but I'm willing to try just about anything to help my garden grow organically.

That being said, are there any experienced Malabar Spinach growers here, who can give advice about what to plant nearby (and/or what to avoid)?  Since Malabar Spinach isn't really spinach, I'm at a loss...

Hi Ginger, Welcome to the Forum from California! Did you check out the Search feature? There are a handful of Malabar spinach threads. Just remember that it vines, otherwise it probably doesn't matter health wise what you plant next to it. Maybe others will know. I only have New Zealand spinach.

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t11865-friday-rookie-topic-malabar-spinach?highlight=malabar

Thank you for the warm welcome, sanderson!

I did use the Search feature and scanned the results prior to posting, but didn't see any info readily available regarding companion plants.  Even though it vines, I'm hoping to incorporate neighboring plants which will send good vibes, nutrients, or general encouragement through the soil.

Tetragonia is also in my garden plan - and is another new-to-me plant - so I'd appreciate any insight you can provide about companions (or other advice) for it.

First - I haven't grown this... Comments from people that have actually grown this trump my hypothesizing.

That said, I would pair it with something that doesn't vine so that it doesn't get shaded -- perhaps even something that would appreciate shade. It sounds like it likes high organic matter soils (MM should be perfect!), so I'd guess it's a "heavy feeder" -- so pair it with a "light feeder" - a plant that doesn't need a lot of nutrients. Taxonomically, it's quite distant from true spinach, but still more related to spinach than other common garden vegetables. So, based on my reasoning I'd suggest companion planting with bush beans, lettuce, parsley, scallions, or nasturtium. Maybe radish or carrots -- I hesitate because I don't know how sensitive malabar spinach is to root disturbance. I'd avoid planting it near sunflowers and Jerusalem artichokes, and try to space most large brassicas (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale) further from it rather than closer.

BeetlesPerSqFt wrote:First - I haven't grown this... Comments from people that have actually grown this trump my hypothesizing.

That said, I would pair it with something that doesn't vine so that it doesn't get shaded -- perhaps even something that would appreciate shade. It sounds like it likes high organic matter soils (MM should be perfect!), so I'd guess it's a "heavy feeder" -- so pair it with a "light feeder" - a plant that doesn't need a lot of nutrients. Taxonomically, it's quite distant from true spinach, but still more related to spinach than other common garden vegetables. So, based on my reasoning I'd suggest companion planting with bush beans, lettuce, parsley, scallions, or nasturtium. Maybe radish or carrots -- I hesitate because I don't know how sensitive malabar spinach is to root disturbance. I'd avoid planting it near sunflowers and Jerusalem artichokes, and try to space most large brassicas (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale) further from it rather than closer.

Thank you BeetlesPerSqFt!  Given the absence of input from growers with personal experience, I fully appreciate your hypothesis. It’s obvious you’ve done some homework on this (I read your comments on the “Companion Planting thread).

It sounds like we’re thinking along the same lines.  I have a trellised spot available for this crop near peas, cucumbers (grown vertically), and bush beans, with carrots, icicle radish, and a variety of culinary herbs and flowers planted in close proximity. Brassicas and sunflowers will be at least 7 feet away.  If the ‘spinach’ grows as I hope, it will provide hot afternoon shade for pepper bushes.

Ginger Blue! From Ohio

Beetles is very knowledgeable, I have no experience with Malabar spinach at all. However the logic is sound.

Good luck! I would try to avoid toxic combos...not sure if that is companion planting? Glad you found us, Ginger!

I have almost no experience with Malabar spinach.  But I am growing it for the first time this year.  I planted it on the same trellis with my cucumbers.  My observation so far is that the cucumbers grew faster and taller than the Malabar and the cucumber leaves are shading the Malabar.  Also, cucumbers like a moist growing environment but I don't know if Malabar likes that.  I only have two plants in the ground so no loss if it gets overrun with cucumbers.

I know this is an old thread... but I have some experience growing Malabar Spinach, so I thought I would post my comments here in case it's helpful to anyone else.

I'm located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (hardiness zone 6). Malabar Spinach grows extremely well in my location, BUT... it takes a bit of time to get going. This surprised me the first year I grew it, as everything I'd read online suggested that it was a vigorous climbing plant that would quickly overtake other plants. That depends on how warm it is in your region; growth is actually very slow when temperatures are below 80°F. Once it gets warmer, though, look out!

Because of this I've started growing it in combination with climbing peas/snow peas. I've found that the peas are pretty much finished by the time the Malabar Spinach gets going, so it's a good way to make the most of any vertical space in my garden (I have a very small urban backyard garden).

I hope this is helpful! Would love to hear about any other suggested companion plants for Malabar Spinach!

Magnetha, Thank you for sharing your experience growing Malabar spinach in Canada. Every region is different, so it's nice to hear from gardeners in different regions on a subject.

Hi Magnetha. Don't have Malibar, so can't really give any opinions. But welcome from Atlanta, GA!

Welcome Magnetha from your "neighbour" down the highway in Ottawa, Ontario ... neighbours in the sense that we live in the same Province even if we are a five or six hour drive from each other in distance. We have family in Cambridge and St.Catharines which are much closer to you. Thanks so much for the good information concerning the malabar spinach.