Hailing from tropical Asia, longevity spinach greens can be eaten raw or cooked. The plant is the focus of extensive pharmacological research for its numerous health benefits. 

We promote the use of Gynura procumbens as part of our edible houseplant project. 

Common Name: Longevity spinach

Scientific Name: Gynura procumbens

Plant Family: Asteraceae

Primary Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves

Medicinal Uses: Antihypertensive, cardioprotective, antihyperglycemic, fertility enhancement, anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, organ protective, antiinflammatory.

Meaning of Scientific Name: Gynura - Gr. ‘gyne’, woman, female organ, Gr. ‘oura’, tail; the stigmas have a hairy tip (Eggli); procumbens - falling forwards, sinking down, prostrating

Designing with this Plant

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11 

Forest garden layer: herbaceous

Sources

• Dave’s Garden “Longevity Spinach, Sabungai” (2018)
• Eggli, Urs, Newton, Leonard E., Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names (2004).
• Hui Li eTan; Kok Gan eChan; Priyia ePusparajah; Learn-Han eLee; Bey Hing eGoh. Frontiers in Pharmacology, Vol 7 (2016); Frontiers Media S.A., 2016.