Red Indian Spinach Seeds – Paya Shak Basella Alba | Heat Tolerant

Product Overview

Transform your garden into a vibrant, nutritious paradise with our premium Paya Shak seeds, the authentic red-stemmed Indian spinach that thrives in hot weather when regular spinach fails. These heat-tolerant Basella alba seeds produce stunning climbing vines with glossy, succulent leaves and beautiful red stems that add both color and nutrition to your home garden.

Product Details

• Weight: 0.013 lbs (approximately 6 grams)
• Seed Count: Approximately 15-20 premium seeds per package
• Scientific Name: Basella alba (red variety)
• Common Names: Paya Shak, Red Indian Spinach, Malabar Spinach, Ceylon Spinach, Climbing Spinach
• Origin: Sourced from traditional South Asian suppliers
• Germination Rate: 80-85% under optimal conditions
• Organic: Yes, naturally grown without chemical treatments

Why Choose Our Paya Shak Seeds?

Authentic Red Variety

Our Paya Shak seeds produce the traditional red-stemmed variety prized in Bengali, Indian, and Southeast Asian cuisine. Unlike common green Malabar spinach, these seeds yield plants with striking reddish-purple stems and veins that create a beautiful contrast in both garden and plate.

Superior Heat Tolerance

When summer heat kills regular spinach, Paya Shak thrives! These heat-loving plants actually prefer temperatures above 80°F (27°C) and continue producing tender, nutritious leaves throughout the hottest months, making them perfect for tropical and subtropical climates.

Exceptional Nutritional Value

Paya Shak leaves are nutritional powerhouses, containing higher levels of vitamins A and C than regular spinach, plus significant amounts of iron, calcium, and antioxidants. The red pigmentation indicates additional beneficial compounds like betalains and anthocyanins.

Growing Your Red Indian Spinach

Planting Instructions

Best Planting Time: Start seeds after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperature reaches 65°F (18°C). In warmer climates, can be planted year-round

Soil Requirements: Well-draining, fertile soil with pH 6.0-7.5. Thrives in rich, organic matter-amended soil but tolerates various soil types

Spacing: Plant seeds ½ inch deep, spacing them 12-18 inches apart. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days under warm conditions

Support Structure: Provide trellises, stakes, or fencing as these vigorous climbers can reach 6-10 feet in height

Care & Maintenance

Watering: Maintain consistent moisture but avoid waterlogged conditions. Deep watering 2-3 times per week works best

Fertilization: Feed monthly with balanced organic fertilizer. These heavy feeders respond well to compost and well-rotted manure

Pruning: Regular harvesting encourages continued leaf production. Pinch flowers to maintain leaf tenderness

Pest Management: Generally pest-resistant, but watch for aphids and spider mites during dry periods

Harvest & Culinary Uses

Harvesting Guidelines

• Young Leaves: Begin harvesting when plants reach 6-8 inches tall, about 30-40 days from planting
• Continuous Harvest: Pick outer leaves regularly to encourage new growth throughout the season
• Peak Production: Most productive during hot summer months when other leafy greens struggle

Traditional Cooking Applications

Bengali Cuisine: Essential for authentic Paya Shak Bhaji, often cooked with garlic, onions, and traditional spices

South Indian Dishes: Perfect for Basale Soppu Curry, coconut-based preparations, and traditional stir-fries

Southeast Asian Cooking: Widely used in Filipino Alugbati dishes and Thai stir-fries

Raw Preparations: Young, tender leaves excellent in salads, providing a mild, slightly tangy flavor

Modern Culinary Uses

• Fresh salads and microgreens
• Smoothies and green juices
• Sautéed as spinach substitute
• Pizza toppings and pasta dishes
• Sandwich fillings and wraps

Health Benefits & Nutrition

Nutritional Powerhouse

• Vitamin A: 4 times higher than regular spinach
• Vitamin C: Excellent source for immune support
• Iron: Essential for blood health and energy
• Calcium: Supports bone health
• Antioxidants: Red pigments provide additional anti-inflammatory compounds

Traditional Medicine Uses

In Ayurvedic medicine, Paya Shak is valued for its cooling properties, digestive benefits, and blood-purifying qualities. Traditional practitioners recommend it for maintaining healthy skin, supporting liver function, and boosting overall vitality.

Growing Tips for Maximum Success

Climate Adaptation

Hot Climate Gardens: Thrives in temperatures up to 95°F (35°C). Perfect for Southern US states, Florida, Texas, and California

Cooler Climate Growing: In northern regions, grow in containers that can be moved to warm, sunny locations or use greenhouse cultivation

Monsoon Growing: Excellent choice for humid, rainy seasons when other vegetables may struggle with fungal issues

Companion Planting

Grows exceptionally well with:

• Tomatoes (provides natural climbing support)
• Peppers and eggplants (similar heat requirements)
• Okra and yard-long beans
• Marigolds and nasturtiums (natural pest control)

Seed Saving & Propagation

Allow some plants to flower and produce berries for seed collection. Purple-black berries contain viable seeds that can be saved for next season. Can also be propagated from stem cuttings in water.

Seasonal Growing Guide

Summer Growing (Primary Season)

• Planting: Late spring through early summer
• Harvest: Continuous through fall
• Care: Regular watering and harvesting for best production

Year-Round Growing (Warm Climates)

• Cool Season: Slower growth but still productive
• Hot Season: Peak production period
• Transition: Excellent bridge crop between seasons

Cultural & Historical Significance

Traditional Importance

Paya Shak has been cultivated for over 4,000 years across tropical Asia and Africa. In Bengali culture, it represents resilience and adaptability—a vegetable that provides nutrition when other crops fail in extreme heat.

Modern Relevance

As climate change brings hotter summers, heat-tolerant vegetables like Paya Shak become increasingly important for food security and sustainable gardening practices.

Container Growing Guide

Perfect for Small Spaces

• Container Size: Minimum 5-gallon containers with drainage holes
• Support: Install trellises or stakes for climbing growth
• Placement: Full sun to partial shade locations
• Mobility: Move containers to optimize growing conditions

Urban Gardening Applications

Excellent choice for:

• Balcony gardens and patios
• Vertical growing systems
• Rooftop gardens in hot climates
• Community garden plots

Package Contents & Quality Guarantee

What You Receive

• Premium Paya Shak seeds (0.013 lbs package)

Our Promise

We guarantee the authenticity and viability of our red Indian spinach seeds. If germination rates fall below expectations when proper growing conditions are provided, we’ll replace your seeds or provide a full refund within 30 days.

Storage & Viability

Store seeds in their original packaging in a cool, dry location. Properly stored Paya Shak seeds remain viable for 3-5 years, with optimal germination rates when planted within 2-3 years of packaging date.

 

Ready to add vibrant, nutritious Paya Shak to your garden? Order these premium red Indian spinach seeds today and enjoy fresh, heat-tolerant greens all summer long. Perfect for traditional South Asian cooking or modern healthy cuisine!

Note: Seeds are for planting purposes only. Growing success may vary based on local climate conditions, soil quality, and gardening practices.