Water Spinach.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Aquatic vegetable

Luz

Full sun to partial shade

Luz en interior

Luz indirecta brillante

Riego

Cada 1 a 2 días

Tamaño adulto

3 to 10 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 10 a 12

Floración

Summer to early autumn

Cuidados

Keep the soil saturated or grow the plant directly in water to mimic its natural wetland habitat. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal a need for more nutrients or better light. Ensure the water stays fresh to prevent any issues with stagnation.

Riego

The soil must remain consistently waterlogged or submerged.

Abonado

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer to keep the foliage lush.

Poda

Trim the stems regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent it from becoming too leggy.

Trasplante

Repot if the plant becomes root bound in its container or if you are moving it to a larger water feature.

Suelo

Rich, loamy, or aquatic soil

pH del suelo

5.5 to 7.0

Temperatura

15 a 35°C

Humedad

70 a 95%

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is generally considered safe for consumption when cooked, though raw ingestion is discouraged due to potential waterborne pathogens.

Niños

Ensure children do not play in the water where this plant grows, as it may harbor bacteria or parasites.

Alérgenos por contacto

Contact with the sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Alérgenos en el aire

Pollen may cause mild reactions in those with severe seasonal allergies.

Comestibilidad

Water spinach must be cooked thoroughly to eliminate the risk of parasites like Fasciolopsis buski that can thrive in contaminated water.

Cómo identificarla

• Long, arrow shaped leaves
• Hollow, floating stems
• Trumpet shaped white or pink flowers
• Creeping or trailing growth habit

Altura

0,1 a 0,3m

Anchura

1 a 3m

Hojas

green, deciduous

Flores

white, lavender, 3 a 5cm

Frutos

brown, Summer to autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• White rust — Fungal infection causing white pustules on the undersides of leaves.
• Aphids — Small insects that suck sap from new growth.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

cuttings, seed

Cuándo plantar

spring, summer

Keep this plant isolated in its own container to prevent it from outcompeting other species in your garden.

Buenas compañeras

• Eichhornia crassipes — They share similar aquatic growing requirements.

Especies parecidas

• Sweet Potato — They are closely related and share similar leaf shapes.

Ciencia

Familia

Convolvulaceae

Género

Ipomoea

Orden

Solanales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Tropical and subtropical regions of Asia.

Conservación

It is considered an invasive species in many parts of the United States and should be grown with caution.

It thrives in marshes, ponds, and slow moving water where it can spread rapidly across the surface.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

culinary vegetable, aquatic groundcover

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Can I grow this in a regular pot?

Yes, but it requires a very large container kept constantly saturated with water.

Is it invasive?

Yes, it is highly invasive in many warm climates and should never be released into natural waterways.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Ipomoea comes from Greek words meaning worm and likeness, referring to the twining habit of the vines.

Bueno saberlo

• It is also known as water morning glory.
• The stems are hollow, which helps the plant float.
• It grows incredibly fast in warm, wet conditions.
• It is a member of the Convolvulaceae family.