Can I grow this in a pot?

Yes, it grows very well in containers with good drainage.

How do I harvest the leaves?

Simply pinch off the tender stems and leaves as needed.

Plant guide

Ceylon spinach.

Talinum fruticosum

Pronounced tah-LY-num froo-tih-KOH-sum

Also known as Ceylon Spinach, Ceylon-spinach, Philippine-spinach, Surinam-purslane, Verdolaga-Francesa, Waterleaf, sweetheart

This succulent herb is a fantastic addition to your garden if you enjoy edible greens. It thrives in warm climates and produces lovely pink flowers alongside its fleshy leaves. You will find it quite resilient once it gets established in your soil.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 3 to 4 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant is getting too much water. It loves warmth, so bring it indoors if your area experiences a frost.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back the stems regularly to encourage a bushier shape and promote new leaf growth.
Repotting: Repot your plant when it becomes root-bound or outgrows its current container.
Soil: Well-draining, fertile, organic-rich soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The plant is generally safe for consumption when cooked, though raw ingestion may cause discomfort due to high oxalate levels.
Children: Keep away from small children to prevent accidental ingestion of raw leaves.
Contact allergens: No specific skin irritants are known.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: The leaves contain oxalates, so they should be cooked thoroughly to reduce potential kidney irritation.

How to identify it

Fleshy, succulent, obovate leaves
Small, bright pink five-petaled flowers
Erect, branching, semi-woody stems
Small, round, green to black seeds

Height: 0.3 to 1m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: pink, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: red, black, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

Root rot · Occurs when soil remains too wet for extended periods.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring containers indoors before the first frost. Keep the plant in a bright, warm location and reduce watering significantly.
In containers: It is excellent for containers, requiring at least a 20 centimeter pot for healthy growth.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 10 centimeter cutting from a healthy stem.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Place the cutting in moist, well draining soil.

Plant this in a sunny spot with well draining soil to keep it happy alongside other heat loving vegetables.

Grows well with

Sweet Potato · They share similar moisture needs and thrive in warm weather.
Basil · Both plants enjoy the same sunny, warm conditions.

Similar species

Purslane · It is a close relative with similar succulent foliage.

Science

Family: Talinaceae
Genus: Talinum
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical Americas
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It grows as a succulent herb in disturbed areas and forest edges where it can access consistent moisture.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: culinary green, ornamental border, container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?: Yes, it grows very well in containers with good drainage.
How do I harvest the leaves?: Simply pinch off the tender stems and leaves as needed.

Where the name comes from

The name Talinum comes from an old local name for the plant, while fruticosum refers to its shrubby growth habit.

Good to know

It is a member of the purslane family.
The leaves are highly nutritious and rich in vitamins.
It thrives in humid, warm climates.
It is often grown as a perennial in tropical zones.

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This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on November 1, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.