Longevity spinach (Gynura procumbens) is a well-liked vegetable grown within the tropics. Whereas common spinach is greatest grown in colder climates and tends to bolt within the warmth, longevity spinach is perennial in hotter climates. It’s a widespread cooking and medicinal ingredient all through Southeastern Asia.
As its title implies, this vegetable is well known for its well being advantages. Japanese medication practitioners use longevity spinach to help in treating kidney issues, rheumatism, constipation, hypertension, diabetes, and extra. It may be ingested or topically utilized.
In Malay, this plant is known as Sambung Nyawa, which suggests “prolongation of life” and in Chinese language, it is called Bai Bing Cao, which interprets to “the grass that heals 100 illnesses.” There’s ongoing scientific analysis on the pharmaceutical potential of longevity spinach. Though there is no such thing as a such factor as a miracle plant, this one might simply be included as a part of a nutritious diet.
Longevity spinach can be a superb addition to gardens in North America and perennial in USDA zones September 11. They are often planted as annuals in cooler rising zones. Completely different elements of the plant are edible uncooked in salads and smoothies or cooked in stir-fries and soups. When heated, longevity spinach has a viscous consistency and should go away a sticky residue akin to okra or Malabar spinach.
These with meals allergic reactions ought to first attempt just a few leaves earlier than making a giant batch. It’s simple to propagate, so you possibly can take as many cuttings as you wish to share with curious household and associates!
Fast Care Information
| Frequent Title(s) | Longevity Spinach, Longevity Greens, Scrambling Gynura, Sambung Nyawa, Ldl cholesterol Spinach, Bai Bing Cao, Leaves of the Gods |
| Scientific Title | Gynura procumbens |
| Days to Harvest | From 30 days onwards |
| Gentle | Semi-shade |
| Water | Reasonable water |
| Soil | Unfastened soil with good soil drainage |
| Fertilizer | Nitrogen wealthy fertilizers resembling blood meal, kelp, or fish fertilizer |
| Pests | Beetles, aphids, mites, whiteflies, leafminers |
| Illnesses | Broad bean wilt virus 2 |
All About Longevity Spinach
Longevity spinach, Gynura procumbens, is a low-growing perennial plant native to Southeast Asia, China, and Africa. Within the wild, longevity spinach vegetation may be present in forests by streams or climbing on bushes. Vegetation within the Gynura genus belong to the aster household (Asteraceae).
Like its sunflower cousins, the longevity spinach plant additionally produces stunning yellow flowers which then produce seeds. Nonetheless, for those who plan to prepare dinner with longevity spinach as an alternative of utilizing it as a decorative, you must take away the flowers to advertise lush development of leaves.
It has a climbing development behavior which gave this plant considered one of its widespread names – the Scrambling Gynura. Longevity spinach vegetation may be grown straight within the floor and let sprawl as a pretty groundcover or grown in containers to handle the vines and transfer indoors.
The fleshy leaves are spherical to ovate in form with a clean inexperienced higher floor, making it semi-succulent. Leaves are configured in an reverse sample and may rise up to 6 inches lengthy. The stems are additionally edible however will root wherever they contact the soil.
The underside of leaves, stems, and buds might have purple hues. Leaves may be harvested as quickly as one month after planting, however make sure that to not over-harvest throughout the early stage of planting. Frequently harvesting of longevity spinach leaves may also help the plant look bushier.
Planting Longevity Spinach
When you order on-line from backyard suppliers, you’ll mostly obtain plant cuttings as an alternative of seeds. Seeds are very tough to germinate, even on the hand of skilled gardeners. Cuttings may be planted straight in nutrient-rich soil after the final frost. Take care to not plant them any sooner, because the younger cuttings will want time to regulate to your backyard and aren’t very cold-tolerant.
Longevity spinach must be planted in partial shade and well-draining soil. Whereas the vegetation can tolerate full solar, an excessive amount of solar publicity will trigger the leaves to develop a bitter style. Depart loads of house between every plant, as they are going to simply sprawl. As a result of they aren’t native to North America, they could turn out to be mildly invasive if not pruned.
When you’re planting longevity spinach in containers, the containers must be at the least 3 gallons to accommodate vigorous development. Fertilize container vegetation extra steadily than these grown within the floor since vitamins within the containers are likely to deplete quicker.
Caring For Longevity Spinach Vegetation
It’s simple to develop longevity spinach indoors or exterior. This plant is just not vulnerable to many illnesses or pests and may thrive below favorable situations.
Solar and Temperature
Longevity spinach grows greatest in partial solar soil and particularly shaded from the cruel afternoon rays. In North America, it may be grown as a perennial plant in zones September 11 and as an annual in all different zones that have frost.
As a result of longevity spinach is a tropical plant, it’s delicate to colder climates. If the plant suffered gentle frost injury, prune the broken leaves and stems again to encourage wholesome new development. Mature vegetation can tolerate just a few nights of sunshine frost however received’t recuperate after extended chilly spells.
Water and Humidity
As with many vegetation, longevity spinach additionally advantages from drip irrigation as an alternative of overhead watering. Longevity spinaches have an ample root system to tolerate some drought situations however will develop higher with extra constant watering. As a result of the longevity spinach plant has a vining development behavior, the lengthy tendrils of leaves may also act as a residing mulch to assist retain soil moisture.
When you see your plant wilt or turn out to be sickly, it could be resulting from an excessive amount of water absorption or poor drainage. As new transplants, they need to be watered day by day. Nonetheless, as soon as they’ve turn out to be bigger vegetation, weekly watering will suffice. Not like different high-humidity vegetation from the tropics, this one doesn’t require misting to keep up ambient moisture.
Soil
Develop longevity spinach in unfastened, well-draining soil and never soggy zones. When you’re rising longevity spinach straight in out of doors environments, you possibly can assist enrich the soil by including natural supplies resembling compost. As a result of these vegetation can be utilized as a pure floor cowl, they don’t want software of extra mulch.
Fertilizing Gynura Procumbens
The use and frequency of fertilizer functions is dependent upon the soil high quality. Longevity spinach can profit from nitrogen-rich fertilizers resembling espresso grounds, blood meal, worm castings, or a kelp or fish liquid natural fertilizer. Fertilizers are particularly necessary in case you are rising longevity spinach in indoor planters and with two or three vegetation in the identical pot. Too many vegetation usually will compete for assets so it’s necessary to feed them with nutrient-rich liquids.
Pruning & Coaching Gynura Procumbens
Longevity vegetation get pleasure from vigorous development and tend to take over an space if left unpruned. The very best methodology of pruning is to easily harvest the leaves and in the reduction of the vines. Mature vegetation can develop as much as a foot tall with scrambling vines. Within the wild, this plant tends to climb bushes, to allow them to be educated to develop upwards utilizing helps like bamboo stakes.
Propagation
It’s simple to propagate longevity in spinach from present vegetation. Take a chopping with at the least two to a few leaves and put the chopping into some soil. Preserve the soil effectively watered for the next days, and the chopping ought to root and begin to produce new leaves. Propagation is an effective way for cool-weather gardeners to have extra longevity spinach for the next season with out ordering new vegetation.
Rising longevity spinach indoors is simple; save cuttings close to a heat and sunny window and let the soil dry out between waterings to maintain roots wholesome. They will additionally profit from being positioned below a develop gentle. The plant will develop extra slowly throughout the winter however can be able to be transplanted exterior after the final frost.
Harvesting and Storing
Longevity spinach generally is a nice substitute for true spinach in scorching climates. It thrives within the warmth and may yield an plentiful and steady harvest of leafy greens all through the summer season.
Harvesting Spinach
Longevity spinach is a vigorous plant that may be harvested as early as a month after planting. Because the plant matures, it requires frequent harvesting to manage the vines. Frequent harvesting is an effective way to include the plant earlier than it takes over the entire backyard. Longevity spinach can also be a wholesome plant to feed chickens.
Storing
Put together and retailer longevity spinach as you’ll every other leafy inexperienced, though freezing would be the greatest methodology to protect its dietary worth. Wash and pat dry the leaves earlier than freezing them in sealed containers or baggage.
Longevity spinach may also help pack in further well being advantages into smoothies. Longevity spinach leaves can be dehydrated at a low temperature. In reality, there are at present powdered longevity spinach capsules and dried tea leaves being offered as natural dietary supplements.
Troubleshooting
Rising longevity spinach is mostly not tough because it’s naturally vigorous and doesn’t face too many pests or illnesses. Nonetheless, for those who encounter some points once you attempt to develop longevity spinach, listed below are some widespread methods to troubleshoot.
Rising Issues
Longevity spinach will sometimes arrive as younger cuttings. Probably the most widespread rising issues is exposing them to freezing temperatures earlier than they’re sturdy sufficient to be exterior. Be certain solely to transplant the chopping after any probabilities of frost in order to not injury younger longevity spinach leaves.
The temperature shouldn’t be an enormous problem for gardeners in heat climates. Whereas they will thrive indoors, they can be extra weak to nitrogen deficiency or turn out to be root certain. Examine your plant each day.
Pests
Your longevity spinach plant might appeal to beetles, whiteflies, and different tiny inexperienced bugs resembling aphids. Wholesome vegetation are extra proof against pests, whereas people who have already suffered some injury will appeal to them. Beetles will sometimes straight eat elements of leaves, whereas the piercing and sucking bugs will feed on plant tissue utilizing their specialised mouthparts. Neem oil can function a pure pest management when utilized to leaves. In extreme circumstances, you possibly can apply chemical controls resembling spinosad or pyrethrin.
A leafminer larvae infestation is seen when leaves have small white squiggles on them. That is proof the larvae have tunneled into the world between the leaf floor and its tissue to feed earlier than pupating. The very best plan of action right here is to take away the leaves that include leafminers and eliminate them.
Illnesses
Researchers from South Korea, the place this edible plant is a favourite, have discovered that aphids are a vector for the Broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV-2). Longevity spinach that has this virus will develop chlorotic native lesions on leaves. The diseased plant’s leaves will turn out to be mottled, and the virus will ultimately trigger stunted plant development. It’s necessary to manage aphids to lower the possibility {that a} pest infestation will unfold illnesses.
Moreover, as a result of longevity spinach can develop as a dense patch, the dearth of airflow could cause some fungal points. Harvest usually or reduce the vines again to advertise airflow. This additionally provides you the chance to look at your plant extra carefully for different indicators of pests and illnesses so you possibly can deal with them accordingly.
Continuously Requested Questions
Q: Can longevity spinach be eaten uncooked?
A: Sure, longevity spinach may be eaten uncooked or cooked. Many individuals eat longevity spinach for its well being advantages, resembling to handle blood sugar, decrease blood strain, management dangerous ldl cholesterol, and so forth.
Q: Is longevity spinach invasive?
A: No, the longevity plant is just not sometimes invasive and may be planted straight within the backyard.
Q: Does longevity spinach like full solar?
A: Longevity spinach may be grown in direct daylight. Nonetheless, if potential, make sure that your longevity spinach plant has sufficient pure gentle however is positioned in partial shade.
Q: Does longevity spinach style like spinach?
A: Longevity spinach is a leafy inexperienced that can be utilized as an alternative of spinach in all use circumstances, but it surely has a milder style.
Q: Is longevity spinach the identical as Okinawa spinach?
A: No, longevity spinach (Gynura procumbens) is just not the identical as Okinawa spinach (Gynura crepioides), though they’re each within the Gynura genus and are extra warmth tolerant than true spinach. Each vegetation additionally develop greatest when propagated from cuttings moderately than straight sown from seed. Longevity spinach originates from Southeast Asia as an alternative of Japan.
Q: How chilly can longevity spinach tolerate?
A: Longevity spinach is delicate to frost. Potted vegetation may be moved indoors when temperatures cool in colder local weather environments.
Q: Are you able to eat the stems of longevity spinach?
A: Sure, you possibly can eat the stems of longevity spinach, though this plant is extra generally eaten for its leaves.
Q: Does longevity spinach have oxalates?
A: Sure, longevity spinach comprises oxalates which may be decreased via cooking earlier than consuming.
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