Say goodbye to sad, wilting greens and hello to your new favorite summer staples.
Most traditional spinach varieties struggle as temperatures rise, but lucky for us, there’s a trio of tropical, powerhouse greens that thrive in the heat. At Urban Abundance, we call them the Summer Spinach Dream Team—and each one brings its own unique flavor, texture, and benefits to your garden (and your plate).
🌱 Longevity Spinach (Gynura procumbens)
The reliable, regenerative green your garden didn’t know it needed.
This nutrient-dense plant is loaded with antioxidants and known in herbal traditions for supporting overall wellness. Longevity Spinach grows low and lush, doesn’t flinch at full sun, and regenerates quickly after harvesting. Eat it raw in smoothies, toss it into soups and sautés, or mix it into omelets and rice dishes.
🛠 Why we love it:
• Grows fast and year-round
• Thrives in full sun or partial shade
• Very low maintenance
• Rarely bothered by pests
📦 Pro Tip: You can trim this one aggressively—don’t be shy! The more you harvest, the more it grows.
🌿 Malabar Spinach (Basella alba or rubra)
The climbing queen of tropical greens.
Malabar Spinach brings visual drama to your garden with its thick, glossy leaves and vining habit—perfect for trellises or fences. Its texture is juicy and slightly mucilaginous (think okra), making it a great addition to stir-fries, soups, and stews. Plus, it adds a mild, peppery bite and a gorgeous splash of color if you’re growing the red-stemmed variety (Basella rubra).
🛠 Why we love it:
• Heat-loving and fast-growing
• Grows vertically to save space
• Leaves AND berries are edible (berries make a natural dye!)
• Thrives with consistent moisture
📦 Pro Tip: Give it something to climb—and stand back. This beauty grows like wild!
🍃 Brazilian Spinach (Alternanthera sissoo)
Crunchy, compact, and kid-approved.
Brazilian Spinach is a leafy groundcover that does best in part shade, making it perfect for tucking into underused garden corners. Its leaves are slightly crinkled and surprisingly crunchy when raw, making them an easy favorite for salads and garden snacking. It’s low-growing and spreads nicely without taking over—great for filling in gaps and suppressing weeds.
🛠 Why we love it:
• Doesn’t mind shady spots
• Crunchy texture, mild flavor
• Excellent in stir-fries, soups, and even wraps
• Resistant to most pests and diseases
📦 Pro Tip: Keep it trimmed to encourage bushier growth and more tender leaves.
💚 Why Plant Summer Spinach?
Summer spinach varieties are the MVPs of hot-weather greens. While many leafy vegetables bolt, wilt, or give up when the heat is on, these tropical options keep going strong—giving you fresh, homegrown greens all summer long.
So, whether you’re blending, sautéing, or just munching straight from the garden, these spinaches are ready to fuel your summer with flavor and nutrition.
🌞 Ready to add these leafy legends to your garden?