| Botanical Information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Malvales |
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Genus | Abelmoschus |
| Common Name | Aibika, Sunset Hibiscus, Hibiscus Spinach |
| Species | manihot |
* First year (can be harvested within a few months of planting)
| Planting months | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
X denotes planting month
| Permaculture uses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Usage 1 | Usage 2 | Usage 3 |
| Pioneer | Shade, ground cover, chop & drop, bee food | vegetable, edible leaves |
| Growing Condition | Comment |
|---|---|
| Drought Tolerant | Moderate (requires regular watering) |
| Humidity tolerant | Yes, thrives in humid conditions |
| Planting area | Garden beds, large pots |
| Sunlight | Full sun to partial shade |
| Photos | ||
|---|---|---|
| [No photos available] | [No photos available] | [No photos available] |
Aibika is a nutritious, fast-growing leafy green vegetable well-suited to Townsville's tropical climate.
Aibika is a tropical plant that thrives in Townsville's warm and humid climate. It grows as a short-lived perennial shrub, reaching heights of 2-3 meters. The plant prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of sunlight conditions, from full sun to partial shade.
Aibika is primarily grown for its edible leaves, which are highly nutritious. It can also serve as a shade plant, ground cover, and bee attractor.
The young leaves and shoots of aibika are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. They are rich in vitamins A and C, iron, and protein. The leaves can be steamed, boiled, stir-fried, or added to soups. Large leaves can be used as food wraps.
When propagating from cuttings, bury them about halfway (10-15 cm) into the soil or potting mix.
No specific inoculant is required for aibika.
Aibika is typically propagated from cuttings rather than seeds. If saving seeds, allow pods to dry on the plant before harvesting.