This is a great vegetable, and very healthy. My favorite green in China (kongxincai);, and one of my favorites in the Pacific Islands (ka...Read Morengkong), including Hawaii. It will grow in colder climates, and is listed as a noxious weed federally in the US, but with numerous disclaimers. It is allowed to be grown and transported in many states, but only allowed to be imported through Hawaii or Maine. So if you live in a state where it is allowed, you might have to order from one of those states, unless you are able to find a source within your state. The plant will freeze and die in many cases, but it will survive under running streams, and does so in Minneapolis, MN. It does not however seem to be able to spread from its location there. To find its status in your state follow this link from the USDA. [HYPERLINK@www.aphis.usda.gov]
Hi All~ I thought I would provide my 2-cents. I am feeling pretty good about growing Kang Kong (Ipomoea aquatica) on my 1/4 acre duck po...Read Morend based on a recent 2003 risk assessment for Oregon (see below for details). I have recently purchased this plant for some floating pond gardens I am planning to build this spring. I live in zone 8b (Neskowin, OR in Tillamook County). We have very mild winters and fairly warm summers and are sited about 1 mile from the ocean on south facing land. We have a 1/4 duck pond and am planning on building a plant raft that will keep the plants for leaving their space yet allow frequent, easy harvest of leaves for salads and other food. We also have a small CSA so may include this plant in the CSA baskets for customers
From what I have read Kang Kong, and Water Cress, would be ideal starters for my floating garden aquaculture system. The floating rafts will keep the plants contained. I like the benefit that the plants will also clean the water. It sound like a addition to our permaculture farm system.
Here is the the Oregon state risk assessment that was done in 2003 by some researchers at Portland State University. The report indicated that this plant had low risk for becoming invasive in Oregon. Here is a link to the pdf of the risk assessment report: [HYPERLINK@static1.squarespace.com]
US Federal law prohibits the importation or transportation of this species (both interstate and intrastate). It has been reported in the ...Read Morewild in 4 states and PR.
Birmingham, AL (Zone 8a) | January 2016 | positive
This interesting, edible plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed, and thrives in warm, wet environments. Wherever bog conditions are ...Read Moreunavailable, it makes for a low maintenance (sealed) container plant, where it can be grown as a trailing vine. Cultivated this way, it produces edible greens all season long, and produces attractive flowers along the way. When the first frost approaches, simply take it inside, place in a bright window, and keep it watered. Handled this way, it overwinters without complaint.
Like kudzu, it is a fast growing, edible noxious weed, although unlike kudzu, this one is frost tender and shouldn't be problematic north of the subtropics.
In Indonesia, they are called Kangkung. They were a cheap, easy growing, delicious fast crops. They have lots of nutrition within. We ...Read Moreall like it.
I think there was some varieties in the genus. As long as I remember, there is two kind of I.aquatica, the first one is called Kangkung darat and kangkung air . The first one, especially grows by seeds, because they produce more seeds, and they grows on the soil which is not damp. This variety doesnt like to be damp, because the root will soon rot if they got too much water.
The second are they one which grows especially in mud or damp soil. The one which is commonly found in swamps, river or lake edges etc. The flower are white, while the first one got red or yellow shade on the flower. The leaf is also different.
They are fast growing, but I dont see any harm from this plants to be considered as dangerous invasive plant, because while they could stand extreme full sun condition, they arent likely to survive in the winters.
I fell in love with this plant while living in Taiwan. It is utterly delicious when stir fried in some oil with fresh garlic and a pinch...Read More of salt. It is known to me as kong syin tsai in Mandarin Chinese (literal translation = hollow heart vegetable).
I really want to grow this plant, provided that I can control it. Am looking for seeds...
What? A weed?? In Malaysia, it's a food crop! It's called Water Convulvulus (or 'kangkong' in Malay). It's commonly stir-fried, or can be...Read More dipped in batter and deep fried. Only the youngest leaves and stems are eaten. If your plant has flowered, that's way too old - it would be too stringy.
Water Convulvulus grows wild by the side of ditches and in swampy/waterlogged areas. It likes to grow at water's edge and sometimes even grows out into the water. It's a favourite food of tortoises. Cultivating this at home is easy as it's a vigorous grower.
scio, oregon, OR (Zone 8a) | September 2007 | positive
Easily grown in a water tub or a small pond as an interesting edible plant. Not invasive in areas that freeze because you will get 100% ...Read Moremortality at first frost and must carefully restock to enjoy this plant the following year.
Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | December 2006 | negative
Chinese Water Spinach, Swamp Cabbage, Swamp Morning Glory Ipomoea aquatica is naturalized in Texas and other States is considered an inva...Read Moresive noxious plant and is prohibited in Texas.
There are several subtypes under Ipomoea aquatica. Most are noxious weeds. However, the "alba," or white-stemmed group includes a prize...Read Mored cooking green from Southeast Asia. My Thai friend calls it "phakbung." You will see it sold in bundles in Asian food stores. The leaves resemble morning glory, of course, and the stems are rather stiff and hollow, like spinach getting ready to bolt. However, phakbung cooks down easily. I compare it to spinach in consistency and taste. My Thai friend will tolerate spinach when phakbung is unavailable. But in the warm months of summer, this green might be a surer bet than spinach. I really would like to get some seeds!
The USDA classifies this plant as a Federal Noxious Weed. Importation into the U.S. is prohibited without a permit. It is a prohibited ...Read Moreaquatic plant in the state of Florida, and a prohibited noxious weed in the state of Arizona.
As a Plant Protection and Quarantine Officer with the USDA, I do not recommend the distribution, planting, buying nor growing of Ipomoea aquatica.
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | neutral
Water spinach leaves are almost arrowhead-shaped, one to six inches long, and one to three inches wide.
This annual vine g...Read Morerows best in constant wet soil or as an emersed freshwater plant. Water spinach leaves are almost arrowhead-shaped, one to six inches long, and one to three inches wide. The leaves have notched bases, with rounded or pointed lobes. The flowers are 2" across.
The leaf and stem are used in Oriental cooking; when boiled or fried, the taste is similar to spinach, hence the common name.
This is a great vegetable, and very healthy. My favorite green in China (kongxincai);, and one of my favorites in the Pacific Islands (ka...Read More
Hi All~ I thought I would provide my 2-cents. I am feeling pretty good about growing Kang Kong (Ipomoea aquatica) on my 1/4 acre duck po...Read More
US Federal law prohibits the importation or transportation of this species (both interstate and intrastate). It has been reported in the ...Read More
This interesting, edible plant is easy to grow from cuttings or seed, and thrives in warm, wet environments. Wherever bog conditions are ...Read More
This plant is listed on the USDA website as invasive or noxious. Florida State-listed Invasive and Noxious Weeds.
Ipomoea...Read More
In Indonesia, they are called Kangkung. They were a cheap, easy growing, delicious fast crops. They have lots of nutrition within. We ...Read More
I fell in love with this plant while living in Taiwan. It is utterly delicious when stir fried in some oil with fresh garlic and a pinch...Read More
What? A weed?? In Malaysia, it's a food crop! It's called Water Convulvulus (or 'kangkong' in Malay). It's commonly stir-fried, or can be...Read More
Easily grown in a water tub or a small pond as an interesting edible plant. Not invasive in areas that freeze because you will get 100% ...Read More
Chinese Water Spinach, Swamp Cabbage, Swamp Morning Glory Ipomoea aquatica is naturalized in Texas and other States is considered an inva...Read More
There are several subtypes under Ipomoea aquatica. Most are noxious weeds. However, the "alba," or white-stemmed group includes a prize...Read More
The USDA classifies this plant as a Federal Noxious Weed. Importation into the U.S. is prohibited without a permit. It is a prohibited ...Read More
Water spinach leaves are almost arrowhead-shaped, one to six inches long, and one to three inches wide.
This annual vine g...Read More