Aibika Spinach PLANT – Untreated & Heirloom – Perennial Hibiscus Spinach – Red Stem Tree Spinach – Hibiscus Manihot
Discover the versatile and nutritious Aibika Spinach, a hardy, short-lived perennial from the Malvaceae family. This robust plant can reach up to 3m in height and is prized for its large, soft leaves. Enjoy them raw in salads, steamed, baked, in stir-fries, or even as a natural wrap for food—both you and your animals (our quails love them!) will benefit from this highly nutritious green. Packed with vitamins and minerals, Aibika is a powerhouse of health benefits.
It grows as a perennial in tropical and subtropical regions, and can be grown as a spectacular annual in cooler climates. It is easily propagated from cuttings in summer and thrives equally well in a garden bed or a large container. There are many varieties of Aibika; I grow three distinct leaf-shape varieties in my food forest.
Some interesting facts about Aibika Spinach – Abelmoschus manihot: “Its flowers have been traditionally used for the treatment of chronic kidney disease in China. Currently, more than 128 phytochemical ingredients have been obtained and identified from the flowers, seeds, stems, and leaves of A. manihot. The primary components are flavonoids, amino acids, nucleosides, polysaccharides, organic acids, steroids, and volatile oils. A. manihot and its bioactive constituents possess a plethora of biological properties, including antidiabetic nephropathy, antioxidant, antiadipogenic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antiviral, antitumor, cardioprotective, antiplatelet, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, and hepatoprotective activities, and have effects on cerebral infarction, bone loss, etc. (Luan et.al, 2020)”
Product Details:
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Price is for one (1) potted plant supplied in a small nursery pot.
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Naturally grown from a mother plant in our permaculture food forest in Pacific Haven, QLD.
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Dispatch within Australia only. Unfortunately, we cannot send to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS, or WA.
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Local pick-up is available by appointment.
Planting & Growing Tips
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Initial Care: Upon arrival, give your plant a good drink and place it in a partially shaded, sheltered spot. Let it recover from its journey in the original pot for a few days before transplanting.
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Transplanting: Re-pot or plant into the garden when roots begin to emerge from the drainage holes. Always water thoroughly immediately after planting.
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Position: Prefers a well-drained position, as it does not like to sit in water. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and adapts to many soil types, though richer soil will significantly boost its growth and vitality. All our edibles thrive in slightly raised garden beds (even 15-20cm makes already a huge difference!).
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Growth Cycle: This plant thrives in the summer heat and its growth slows during the cooler winter months.
Additional Notes
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Sun Acclimatisation: Our nursery plants are grown in partial shade. For the healthiest transition, gradually introduce them to more sun before moving them to their final position.
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Disclaimer: As with any new food, we recommend you research before consumption. Please also see the full disclaimer in the footer of this page.
References: Luan, F., Wu, Q., Yang, Y., Lv, H., Liu, D., Gan, Z., & Zeng, N. (2020). Traditional Uses, Chemical Constituents, Biological Properties, Clinical Settings, and Toxicities of Abelmoschus manihot L.: A Comprehensive Review. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 516691. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.01068
