Red Kitten Spinach: A Tasty and Nutritious Leafy Green Vine Perfect for Small Space Gardening

An Introduction to Red Kitten Spinach

Red kitten spinach, also known as red Malabar spinach, is a unique and tasty leafy green that is growing in popularity. Though not technically a true spinach, red kitten spinach can be used in similar ways to traditional spinach in recipes. With a mild flavor and tender texture, it's a great addition to salads, smoothies, stir fries, and more. Red kitten spinach is easy to grow and packs a nutritional punch, making it a wise choice for any gardener or health-conscious foodie.

What is Red Kitten Spinach?

Red kitten spinach (Basella rubra or Basella alba 'Rubra') is a fast-growing, heat-loving vine in the Basellaceae family. It is native to tropical Asia and thrives in hot, humid environments. Unlike true spinach (Spinacia oleracea), red kitten spinach is not technically a spinach, but its leaves are similar in shape and texture.

The vines can grow up to 30 feet long, and the leaves are oval with a deep red or purple coloring. The stems are reddish-purple as well. Red kitten spinach has a mild, slightly sweet taste that works well raw or cooked. The tender leaves and shoots are perfect for salads or as a nutritious accent to smoothies and juices. When cooked, the leaves take on a more robust, spinach-like flavor.

Growing Conditions for Red Kitten Spinach

Red kitten spinach is a tropical plant that loves heat and lots of moisture. It thrives in hot, steamy environments with daytime temperatures between 75-85°F. It can withstand higher temperatures but may bolt and become bitter in extreme heat. Red kitten spinach prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade in very hot climates. It needs at least 8 hours of sunlight per day.

This vine requires very rich, fertile soil with lots of organic matter. The ideal pH range is between 6.0-6.8. Red kitten spinach grows best in moist, humus-rich soil that drains well. Adding compost or manure before planting will help provide nutrients. Since it is a vine, providing a trellis for it to climb on can maximize vertical space.

Red kitten spinach can be grown from seeds or cuttings. Soaking the seeds for 24 hours before planting helps improve germination. Plant the seeds 1⁄2 inch deep and keep the soil moist until the seedlings emerge. The vines grow rapidly once established. Space plants 1-2 feet apart for adequate room for the vines to spread.

How to Grow Red Kitten Spinach

Here are some tips for successfully growing red kitten spinach:

• Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date or sow directly outside 1-2 weeks before the frost date once soils have warmed
• Plant in full sun to partial shade—at least 8 hours of sun per day is ideal
• Amend soil with compost or manure before planting
• Space seeds 1-2 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches apart
• Keep soil consistently moist throughout germination and growth
• Water at the base of plants to avoid fungal diseases from wet foliage
• Add a trellis or cage for vines to climb as they grow
• Pinch off tip growth to encourage bushier plants
• Harvest leaves regularly to promote new growth

Nutrition and Health Benefits

Red kitten spinach is an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. It contains high levels of vitamins A, C, and K. It's also a good source of magnesium, iron, and calcium. Red kitten spinach has antioxidant properties from compounds like carotenoids and anthocyanins which give it the bright red color.

Some of the top health benefits of red kitten spinach include:

• Supports immune system function
• Promotes healthy skin, hair, and bones
• Helps improve eye health and vision
• Provides anti-inflammatory effects
• May help regulate blood pressure
• Aids in blood clotting

The mild taste and tender texture make red kitten spinach an easy and nutritious addition to all kinds of recipes. The raw leaves work great in salads, smoothies, and juices. Cooked red kitten spinach takes on a more robust flavor perfect for adding to soups, curries, stews, and stir fries. Blanch the leaves briefly to help them retain their bright color when cooking.

Using Red Kitten Spinach

Here are some easy ways to enjoy red kitten spinach:

• Add raw leaves to green salads, sandwiches, and wraps
• Blend into smoothies for color and nutrients
• Juice the leaves with fruits like apples, lemon, and ginger
• Saute quickly with olive oil, garlic, and spices
• Add to curries, soups, and stews at the end of cooking
• Toss blanched leaves with sesame oil, soy sauce, and sesame seeds
• Stir into scrambled eggs or omelets
• Mix into rice, quinoa, or pasta dishes

Growing Red Kitten Spinach in Alternative Systems

In addition to growing in traditional in-ground gardens, red kitten spinach can also thrive in alternative growing systems that take advantage of its vining habit to maximize yields in small spaces.

Some examples include:

• Aeroponics - Growing plants with their roots suspended in air and misted with nutrient solution periodically. Red kitten spinach thrives with consistent moisture and would grow well in tower systems.
• Aquaponics - Raising fish and plants together in a symbiotic system. The fish waste fertilizes the plants while the plants help filter the water for the fish. Red kitten spinach can flourish in the constant humidity of aquaponic greenhouses.
• Vertical Gardening - Growing vining plants up trellises, fences, poles, or cages to take advantage of vertical space. Perfect for red kitten spinach vines and can increase yields in small spaces.
• Container Gardening - Growing plants in pots, planters, raised beds, and other containers. Effective for red kitten spinach on patios, balconies, rooftops, and urban settings with less space available.

With its rapid growth and vine-like nature, red kitten spinach does especially well when provided structures for optimal vertical climbing. Exploring alternative growing methods can help maximize yields in reduced square footage.

Conclusion

Red kitten spinach is a tropical vine that thrives in warm conditions and provides an abundance of nutritious, tender green leaves. Its mild, slightly sweet taste works great in salads, smoothies, stir fries, and many other dishes. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, red kitten spinach is a powerhouse for supporting health. This versatile leafy green is easy to grow, yielding lots of tasty greens on vining plants suitable for small space and vertical gardening methods. Red kitten spinach is a unique plant that is definitely worth including in any edible garden.

FAQs

How is red kitten spinach different from regular spinach?

Red kitten spinach is not technically a true spinach, but a tropical vine in the Basellaceae family. It has a milder, slightly sweeter taste compared to regular spinach and smaller, tender oval-shaped leaves.

What are the health benefits of red kitten spinach?

Red kitten spinach is packed with vitamins A, C, and K. It also provides antioxidants, iron, calcium, and anti-inflammatory effects. It supports immunity, healthy skin, bones, eyesight, blood pressure, and more.

How do you cook red kitten spinach?

Red kitten spinach can be eaten raw in salads or smoothies. Cooked, it takes well to quick sautéing, stir frying, steaming, or adding to soups, stews, and curries. Blanch briefly to retain color when cooking.

Can you grow red kitten spinach indoors?

Yes, red kitten spinach can be grown indoors if enough light is provided. A sunny window or grow lights will be needed for indoor plants. Growing outdoors is recommended whenever possible.

What are the best uses for red kitten spinach?

The tender, mild-tasting leaves are perfect for salads, smoothies, juicing, stir fries, scrambles, pasta dishes, sandwiches, and more. They work great raw or cooked.