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Kangkong
Botanical Information
| Botanical Information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Convolvulaceae |
| Genus | Ipomoea |
| Common Name | KangKong, Water spinach, Swamp cabbage, River spinach |
| Species | I. aquatica |
Maturity days
- 30-40 days
Planting Months
| 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 |
Permaculture uses
| Permaculture uses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Usage 1 | Usage 2 | Usage 3 |
| Pioneer | Shade, ground cover | Animal food, vegetable, edible leaves |
Growing condition comments
| Growing Condition | Comment |
|---|---|
| Drought Tolerant | Low |
| Humidity tolerant | High |
| Planting area | Moist soil, water bodies, containers |
| Sunlight | Full sun to partial shade |
Photos
| Photos | ||
|---|---|---|
| Kangkong leaves | Kangkong flowers | Kangkong in water |
Recipes
Short comments
Fast-growing, semi-aquatic vegetable ideal for tropical climates like Townsville.
General comments
Ecology
Kangkong thrives in warm, humid environments and is well-suited to Townsville's tropical climate. It grows best in water or very moist soil, making it perfect for wetland areas or container gardening.
Uses
Primarily used as a leafy vegetable, kangkong is versatile in the kitchen.
Food
The tender shoots and leaves are edible and commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine. They can be stir-fried, added to soups, or eaten raw in salads. Can be cooked similar to baby broccoli (saute with soy sauce), has a similar flavour and texture.
Planting Depth
When planting in soil, sow seeds about 1 cm deep.
Seed Saving Tips
Allow some plants to flower and produce seed pods. Collect the pods when they turn brown and dry, then extract and store the seeds in a cool, dry place.
Cautionary Comments
Kangkong can be invasive in some areas due to its rapid growth. In Townsville, grow it in containers or controlled environments to prevent spreading into natural waterways.
