Longevity Spinach PLANT – Sambung – Heirloom & Untreated – Gynura procumbens – Perennial Spinach with Remarkable Medicinal Heritage
Add a truly remarkable plant to your garden with this heirloom, untreated Longevity Spinach (Gynura procumbens), also known as Sambung Nyawa, Leaves of the Gods, or Longevity Greens. This vigorous, low-growing perennial is treasured across tropical Asia both as a nutritious leafy vegetable and as one of the most highly regarded medicinal herbs in traditional practice.
Longevity Spinach is a fast-growing, spreading perennial that produces an abundance of tender, oval-shaped green leaves on trailing stems. Unlike common spinach, which struggles in heat and humidity, this plant thrives in warm conditions, growing year-round in frost-free climates and providing a continuous harvest of fresh greens. It is incredibly easy to grow, requires minimal maintenance, and performs beautifully in the ground as an edible groundcover or in pots on a balcony, patio, or windowsill. In cooler areas, it can be grown in a container and moved indoors during winter, making it accessible to gardeners across Australia.
This is a true cut-and-come-again plant — the more you harvest, the more it produces.
Uses:
Fresh Salads & Smoothies: The tender leaves and shoot tips can be eaten raw in salads, wraps, and sandwiches, or blended into green smoothies. They have a mild, pleasant flavour with a slightly nutty note.
Stir-Fries & Cooking: Use the leaves in stir-fries, soups, stews, curries, and omelettes. Add them at the end of cooking — they wilt in moments.
Herbal Tea: Steep fresh or dried leaves in hot water for a traditional herbal tea. In Southeast Asia, the leaves are often chewed fresh or brewed daily.
Wrapping Food: The leaves can be used as edible wrappers for rice, minced meat, or vegetables.
Edible Groundcover: Grows low and spreads readily, forming a dense, productive groundcover that also suppresses weeds.
Do you need more space to grow food? Check out our fantastic extra-large grow bags here.
Nutrients & Health Benefits (Traditional & Scientific):
Longevity Spinach is not only a nutritious leafy green — it is one of the most studied medicinal plants in Southeast Asia, with a long history of traditional use. Research published in 2016 highlights the traditional use of Longevity Spinach across tropical Asia for ailments including kidney discomfort, rheumatism, diabetes, and hypertension.
Modern research has confirmed many of these traditional uses. The plant is rich in flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, and essential oils, which together contribute a wide range of biological activities:
Antidiabetic: Multiple studies have shown that Gynura procumbens can help lower blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity, supporting its traditional use for diabetes management.
Antihypertensive: Research supports its traditional use for lowering blood pressure.
Anti-inflammatory & Analgesic: Used traditionally for rheumatism, joint pain, and general inflammation.
Antioxidant: Rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds that help protect cells from oxidative stress.
Antimicrobial & Antifungal: Demonstrated activity against various bacteria and fungi.
Hepatoprotective & Nephroprotective: Traditional use for kidney discomfort is supported by research suggesting protective effects on the liver and kidneys.
Wound Healing: Traditionally applied externally as a poultice to help heal wounds, cuts, and skin irritations.
Digestive Support: Used to relieve constipation and support general digestive health.
Cancer Research: Preliminary studies have shown cytotoxic (anticancer) activity in some Gynura species, though more research is needed.
Note: Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant medicinally, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication (particularly blood pressure or diabetes medication), or scheduled for surgery. The information provided is for educational purposes only.
Growing Conditions & Planting Tips:
Longevity Spinach is remarkably easy to grow and far more heat-tolerant than traditional spinach. Follow these guidelines for success.
Climate: Perennial in tropical and subtropical regions (QLD, NT, northern NSW). It is frost-sensitive but can be grown as a warm-season annual in cooler areas, or in a pot moved indoors over winter. It thrives in warm, humid conditions.
Position: Prefers partial shade to filtered sunlight — 4 to 8 hours of indirect light is ideal. Protect from harsh afternoon sun, which can burn the leaves. In cooler climates, it will tolerate more sun.
Soil: Grows in a wide range of soils but performs best in rich, well-draining, loamy soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential — it does not tolerate waterlogged roots.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during hot weather. Water regularly but never let the plant sit in soggy soil.
Fertilising: Generally not demanding. If harvesting frequently, a light application of compost or a high-nitrogen organic fertiliser once a month will encourage fresh, tender growth.
Spacing: Space plants about 30–50 cm apart. Closer spacing (around 30 cm) helps establish a dense, productive groundcover.
Harvesting: Harvest young leaves and shoot tips at any time using the cut-and-come-again method. Regular harvesting keeps the plant bushy, productive, and tender. Snip the tips and the plant will branch and regrow.
Container Growing: Grows very well in pots at least 15–20 cm deep. Use a quality potting mix with good drainage. Its shallow root system makes it an excellent choice for balconies and small spaces.
Care After Receiving Your Plant:
Your Longevity Spinach plant has been grown with love. Follow these steps for a smooth transition:
Unpack immediately – Remove the plant from packaging. Check the soil; if dry, give it a light drink.
Rest & recover – Place the plant in a sheltered, shaded spot out of strong wind for 2–3 days to reduce transplant shock.
Slow light introduction – This plant prefers partial shade. If you plan to move it to a brighter position, do so gradually over 5–7 days to avoid leaf burn.
Transplant – Re-pot into a larger container or plant directly into the ground when roots fill the current pot. Space multiple plants about 30–50 cm apart.
Planting depth – Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball. Plant at the same depth it was in the pot.
Water in well – Give it a deep, thorough watering straight after planting. Thereafter, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Mulch lightly – A thin layer of sugar cane or straw mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it away from the stem.
No fertiliser for 2 weeks – Let the plant settle before feeding.
What You Will Receive:
One young, healthy Longevity Spinach plant (Gynura procumbens) in a small nursery pot, grown heirloom, untreated, and with love in my permaculture food forest (Pacific Haven, QLD).
Shipping & Important Notes:
Dispatch: We usually send plants on Mondays to ensure they arrive fresh and before the weekend.
Shipping locations: Sending within Australia only, excluding Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS, and WA.
Pickup: Available by appointment from Pacific Haven, QLD.
Please Note: Do your own research before trying any new foods or herbal remedies. Longevity Spinach may interact with blood pressure and diabetes medications — consult your healthcare provider if you take either. Also refer to our full disclaimer in the footer of this page.
