Longevity Spinach (Gynura procumbens)
Longevity Spinach, Gynura procumbens, is a tender tropical leafy green that earns its place in a food forest because it behaves more like a living, edible groundcover than a “one-and-done” vegetable. The plant trails and branches as it grows, creating a soft green mat you can harvest from repeatedly—snipping tips for a fresh, mild spinach-like addition to salads, sautés, soups, and eggs.
In Florida planting zone 9, Longevity Spinach is happiest where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade (or bright filtered light) with steady moisture and rich organic matter. It can grow fast through warm months and is easy to share: stem cuttings root readily, so one healthy plant can become several over a season.
Cold is the main limitation. It is frost-tender and may die back to the ground when temperatures drop to freezing. In protected microclimates, or with mulch and cover, it can resprout and keep producing for years.
Any reference to medicinal or culinary use of plants or plant parts should in no way be considered an endorsement by The Ocala Food Forest or its staff. Research is crucial in safe and proper consumption or experimentational use of any plant.
Plant Information
| Scientific Name: | Gynura procumbens |
|---|---|
| Family Name: | Asteraceae (Aster / Daisy family) |
| Common Name(s): | Longevity Spinach, Sambung Nyawa, Leaves of the Gods (regional) |
| Size: | Typically 8–24 in. tall, trailing/spreading 2–4+ ft with support or as a groundcover |
| Plant Type: | Tender perennial edible herb / groundcover (evergreen in frost-free areas) |
| Sun Requirements: | Part shade to sun (best leaf quality in bright shade or morning sun / afternoon shade) |
| Florida Status: | Not Florida Native; commonly grown as an edible perennial in warm climates (not typically listed as an invasive landscape plant—monitor spread) |
| Origin/Geographic Distribution: | Native to Southeast Asia; widely grown in tropical and subtropical home gardens |
| Native to: | Southeast Asia |
| Planted range in the USA: | Most commonly grown in warm regions and as a container plant; Florida, Hawaii, Gulf Coast areas, and protected microclimates elsewhere |
| Conservation Status: | Not listed as threatened or endangered |
Cultivation
| Planting: | Plant in spring after danger of frost. Rooted cuttings establish quickly and are the most common way to start |
|---|---|
| Sun Exposure: | Part shade to full sun (use shade in hot afternoons for better, softer leaves) |
| Soil Type: | Moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter; performs well in amended beds and containers |
| Soil pH: | 6.0–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate; keep evenly moist while establishing, then water when the top inch of soil dries (mulch helps) |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | Light to moderate; compost top-dressing or a balanced fertilizer during active growth keeps leaves productive. |
| Pruning Requirements: | Pinch tips often to encourage bushiness. Cut back leggy stems and re-root the cuttings to thicken the patch |
| Growth Rate: | Fast; in warm weather it can add 2–4+ ft of trailing growth in a season (often 1–3 ft of spread per year as a groundcover) |
| Companion Planting: | Excellent as a living mulch around taller plants (keep a small clear ring around trunks/stems for airflow and to prevent rot) |
Tolerance and Hardiness
| Drought Tolerance: | Low to moderate; leaf quality drops quickly in dry soil—mulch and steady moisture are key |
|---|---|
| Frost Tolerance: | Low; frost-tender. Leaf/stem damage is common below 40°F (4°C), and it can die back at 32°F (0°C). Protected roots may resprout after brief freezes |
| Heat Tolerance: | High; can handle hot summers up to 95–100°F (35–38°C) with moisture and partial shade (full blazing sun can scorch leaves) |
| Wind Tolerance: | Moderate; trailing stems can break in strong wind—tuck into sheltered beds or use low support |
| Salt Tolerance: | Low to moderate; avoid direct salt spray |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | 9–11 (often grown as a protected perennial in 9; container/annual outside warm zones) |
Flower and Fruit Information
| Fruit Type: | Achenes (typical daisy-family dry fruits); not grown for fruit |
|---|---|
| Harvest Time: | First harvest is usually 45–60 days after planting (or 30–45 days from a rooted cutting). Harvest when leaves are full-sized and deep green; snip tender tips and take no more than 1/3 at a time |
| Fruit Description: | Inconspicuous; not typically used |
| Edible Plant: | Yes |
| Edible Parts: | Leaves and tender shoots (fresh or cooked) |
| Medicinal: | Yes (traditional use); commonly discussed in relation to metabolic and anti-inflammatory folk uses—research is essential before any experimental use |
| Flower Color: | Yellow to orange |
| Flower Shape: | Small daisy-like composite flower heads in clusters |
| Fragrance: | Mild |
| Flower Bloom Time: | Summer–Fall (June–October); can bloom sporadically in frost-free conditions |
| Bloom Duration: | Several weeks, with clusters opening over time |
| Pollination: Self or Other? | Insect-pollinated (bees and other small pollinators) |
Wildlife
| Attracts: | Bees and other beneficial insects when flowering; can contribute to a pollinator-friendly understory |
|---|---|
| Pollinators: | Bees and small beneficial insects |
| Problematic Pest: | Can attract aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, mealybugs, and snails/slugs (especially in humid, shaded beds). |
Health and Safety
| Toxic: | Not generally treated as a toxic landscape plant; it is commonly grown for edible leaves (use normal food safety and moderation) |
|---|---|
| Poisonous Parts of Plant: | None commonly recognized for typical garden use |
| Toxic to Humans: | Not typically toxic; as with any new edible, try small amounts first and avoid if you have known plant allergies |
| Toxic to Animals: | Not well-documented for pets; discourage grazing and monitor for stomach upset if a pet chews large amounts |
| Plant Diseases to be aware of: | Root Rot, Powdery Mildew, Leaf Spot |
Companion Planting
For Longevity Spinach (Gynura procumbens), the best companions are plants that appreciate similar moisture and light, while letting Longevity Spinach act as a soft, harvestable understory. Keep a small open ring around crowns/trunks for airflow and to prevent rot, and use Longevity Spinach to fill “in-between” spaces where weeds would otherwise move in.
Florida Native: Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Thrives in partial shade and supports birds/insects; pairs well with an edible, shade-tolerant ground layer.
Use: Plant as an understory shrub, then let Longevity Spinach fill around it as a living mulch (keep space at the stem base).
Florida Native: Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Zone Range: 6–10
Benefits: Adds wildlife value and seasonal color; creates dappled shade at the patch edge.
Use: Place on the perimeter of a leafy-green bed so Longevity Spinach can occupy the moister interior.
Florida Native: Blue Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Long bloom window for pollinators; helps keep beneficial insects nearby.
Use: Plant a few clumps near (not over) the greens bed to boost pollinator activity when Longevity Spinach flowers.
Florida Friendly: Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Zone Range: 8–11 (best in warm, protected spots)
Benefits: Shares love for moisture and organic soil; adds seasonal canopy and edible harvest.
Use: Grow turmeric as the taller layer, with Longevity Spinach beneath to shade soil and reduce weeds.
Florida Friendly: Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Defines bed edges, provides mulch biomass, and creates a light wind buffer.
Use: Use as a border (give it space); keep Longevity Spinach inside the border where soil stays cooler and moister.
Florida Friendly: Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Zone Range: Grown as an annual in all zones
Benefits: Quick companion herb that attracts beneficial insects when flowering; easy to rotate through beds.
Use: Interplant as a short-term companion while Longevity Spinach fills in; harvest basil often to prevent shading.
Treat Longevity Spinach like a “harvestable mulch”: keep it clipped, keep soil fed with compost, and prioritize morning sun + afternoon shade for the best leaf texture. Before cold nights, cut it back and mound mulch over the crown to improve resprouting odds in zone 9.
Sources & References
Reference list used for general horticultural guidance and Florida-relevant best practices (not medical advice):
- UF/IFAS Extension (Manatee County) — Perennial Edible Greens — Florida-based notes on perennial greens (including Longevity Spinach), growth habits, and cold sensitivity.
- Kew Science — Plants of the World Online: Gynura procumbens — taxonomy and native-range reference for the species.
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program — water-wise, sustainable landscape principles that support low-input edible gardens.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zone reference framework for planting suitability.
- UF/IFAS EDIS Publication Database — research-based references for pests, diseases, and general Florida horticulture practices.