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Sea Bindweed

Calystegia soldanella
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
edibleperennialvinesedible
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Calystegia soldanella (Sea Bindweed) — botanical photograph
Pl. C507 — Calystegia soldanella
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I

Overview

Sea Bindweed (Calystegia soldanella) is a perennial vine and herb that thrives in various environments, including Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, and parts of Europe and Asia, as well as regions such as California, Chile, China, and New Zealand. Native to light to heavy soils with a pH range of 7-7.5, it can grow up to 0.6 meters tall and prefers moist conditions, making it adaptable within hardiness zones 5-9. This plant is known for its edible leaves and shoots, which can be prepared raw or cooked and are often used in salads or as a green vegetable. Sea Bindweed's light-loving nature (energetics rating: 9/10) makes it well-suited to gardens and natural settings where it can spread widely. Its distinctive purple flowers add ornamental value, making it a notable presence in cultivated spaces. Cultivation is straightforward; provide plenty of light and ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Propagation can be achieved through seeds or cuttings. While Sea Bindweed is primarily used for its edible parts, caution should be exercised when handling any plant intended for consumption to avoid potential allergens or other sensitivities.

Quick answers

What is Sea Bindweed?

Sea Bindweed (Calystegia soldanella) is a perennial vine and herb that thrives in various environments, including Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, and parts of Europe and Asia, as well as regions such as California, Chile, China, and New Zealand.

Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Sea Bindweed thrives in light to medium soils with a pH of 7-7.5 and prefers moist conditions. It is hardy in zones 5-9 and can grow up to 0.6 meters as a perennial vine or herb. Provide it with plenty of light, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Propagate through seeds or cuttings. Harvest its edible leaves and shoots for culinary use.
Light
9/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Vine, Forb/herb
Mature size
0.6 m tall
Soil pH
7–7.5
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is November
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers

How to grow Sea Bindweed for the first time

7steps

Start with Sea Bindweed as a simple, low-maintenance perennial for your garden.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or young plants, a container or garden bed, good quality potting soil if planting in containers.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Ensure the soil is well-draining, with a pH between 7 and 7.5. For containers, use a mix suitable for herbs and vegetables.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds 1-2 cm deep in the garden bed or start them indoors in small pots before transplanting outdoors.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Keep soil consistently moist, especially during germination. Provide light shade to prevent sunburn on young plants.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Water regularly but avoid overwatering. Mulch around the plant to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune occasionally to maintain shape.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune vines as needed to control growth and encourage new shoots. Harvest young leaves and shoots for culinary use.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:LeavesShoots
Edible uses: The leaves and shoots of Sea Bindweed are edible. They can be prepared raw or cooked and are often used in salads or as a green vegetable. Skip the preparation details to maintain brevity.
Other uses:Weaving material
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

68 native · 0 introduced
Distribution across4 continents· 68 native
Europe15 regions
native (15)AlbaniaBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFranceGermanyGreeceIrelandItalyNetherlandsPortugalRussiaSpainUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia7 regions
native (7)ChinaIranJapanPalestineSouth KoreaTaiwanTurkey
Americas1 region
native (1)Uruguay
Africa4 regions
native (4)AlgeriaLibyaMoroccoTunisia
Broader regions
native:Argentina Northeast, British Columbia, California, Cape Provinces, Chatham Is., Chile Central, Chile South, East Aegean Is., Galápagos, Kermadec Is., Kriti, Kuril Is., Lebanon-Syria, Mexico Northwest, Nansei-shoto, New South Wales, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Norfolk Is., Oregon, Primorye, Queensland, Sakhalin, Tasmania, Transcaucasus, Tristan da Cunha, Tubuai Is., Turkey-in-Europe, Victoria, Washington, Western Australia, Yugoslavia
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Calystegia soldanella (Sea Bindweed) — botanical photograph
Sea Bindweed (Calystegia soldanella)
XI

Explore further

XII

About this entry

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