Handama, Suizenjigusa, Okinawa Spinach - Gynura - Edible Houseplant - 4" Pot

In Japan, this bicolour colored vegetable is called Handama, Suizenjigusa or Okinawa Spinach (Gyunura Crepidioides) where you can find Okinawans in Japan (hence the name) planted this vegetable which acts as ornamental ground cover and edible plant! It forms a dense, non-vining, edible ground cover that grows well in full sun or partial shade. It is a vigorous, perennial vegetable that is adaptable to a variety of tropical climates and requires little if any additional input. It is also an attractive potted plant - shiny green leaves above, purple underneath. As a food, it makes a nice addition to salads, and can also be eaten when cooked. It can be used as a spinach substitute. It is purported to have properties that help lower cholesterol. It is grown commercially as a vegetable in China. As a house plant in cooler regions it prefers a window location with some sun. Trim the leaves as you need them. Okinawa Spinach also makes and excellent and attractive patio plant, outside in the summer, indoors in the winter.