🌿 Marabou Chaya (Spinach Tree)
A Florida-Grown Selection Honoring Marabou Thomas
Marabou Chaya is a distinctive Florida-grown form of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius that has been shared among food forest growers for years. This selection became known through Central Florida food forest grower and author Marabou Thomas, who helped circulate cuttings from a unique plant he discovered and propagated.
We grow and offer this Chaya in appreciation of the grower who helped bring attention to it — and as part of Florida’s shared regenerative plant community.
This is not a formally registered cultivar. It is a regionally recognized selection that has been stewarded, shared, and grown by many Florida growers over time.
🌱 Quick Facts Guide
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Cnidoscolus aconitifolius |
| Common Name | Marabou Chaya |
| Plant Type | Perennial edible shrub / small tree |
| Size at Sale | 4” container |
| Estimated Age | 3–6 months |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to partial shade |
| Cold Hardiness | Top growth damaged ~32°F; roots resprout |
| Growth Habit | Upright, structured, vigorous |
| Mature Height (Unpruned) | 8–12+ ft in full Florida sun |
| Suggested Pruned Height | 6–8 ft |
| Spacing | 4–6 ft garden, 6–8 ft food forest |
| Edible Part | Leaves (⚠️ must be cooked) |
| Primary Role | Edible + landscape structure |
🌿 The Story Behind the Name
As the story goes within the Florida food forest community, Marabou Thomas discovered this particular Chaya form growing from discarded landscape material. Recognizing that it looked slightly different from standard Maple Leaf and Deep Lobed forms, he propagated and shared it with other growers.
Over time, it became informally known as “Marabou Chaya.”
We continue using that name simply to acknowledge its origin in our local growing community and to give credit where it’s due.
If you’re unfamiliar with his work, we recommend exploring:
Marabou Thomas — HomeGarden Cuisine Toolkit: Ideas for Making Food in the Subtropics
His influence has helped shape modern subtropical food forest culture in Florida.
🌿 What Makes This Selection Different?
Marabou Chaya sits comfortably between Maple Leaf and Deep Lobed forms.
Distinguishing Traits
- Narrower lobes than Maple Leaf
- More upright and structured growth
- Less dramatic than Deep Lobed
- Excellent response to pruning
- Reliable edible quality once cooked
It tends to grow more vertically and cleanly, making it especially useful in intentional edible landscapes.
🔥 Important Food Safety Note
Like all Chaya:
Leaves must NEVER be eaten raw.
Chaya contains naturally occurring compounds that are neutralized through cooking.
- Always cook 5–15 minutes
- Boil or sauté
- Safe and traditionally prepared this way for centuries
Once cooked, Marabou Chaya becomes a dependable, nutrient-dense leafy green.
🥬 Culinary Use
Flavor (Cooked)
- Mild
- Slightly herbal
- Tender–medium texture
Best Uses
- Soups
- Bean dishes
- Egg scrambles
- Cooked green blends
Younger leaves offer the best texture.
🌿 Landscape Role
Marabou Chaya offers a balanced presence in the landscape.
Works Well As:
- Food forest mid-layer
- Edible hedge
- Structured tropical border
- Productive backdrop plant
It provides vertical structure without becoming unruly when managed.
🌱 Growing & Care
Planting
- Dig hole slightly wider than container
- Plant at same depth
- Keep crown high and well-drained
- Mulch with hardwood (keep away from stem)
🎥 Our High & Tight planting method:
Watering
- Daily in containers
- Drip irrigation preferred in-ground
- Moderately drought tolerant once established
Pruning
- Prune during warm season
- Maintain 6–8 ft for easy harvest
- Avoid heavy pruning before cold snaps
Seasonal Behavior (Florida)
- Winter leaf drop after frost is normal
- Strong spring resprouting
- Rapid summer growth
⚠️ Notes
- Leaves must be cooked before consumption
- Sap may irritate sensitive skin
- Top growth may die back in freezes; roots resprout
🚚 Shipping (4” Size)
- Best suited for Florida, Southeast US & Texas
- Nationwide UPS Ground shipping (Mondays)
- Extreme weather transit risk is buyer discretion
- Allow recovery before transplanting
We recommend waiting 30 days or until new growth appears before planting in-ground.
🏡 Local Pickup
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
🌾 18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
🕘 Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | 🌞 Sat 8AM–3PM
We often carry larger sizes and additional Chaya forms in-store.
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
We design and install edible ecosystems throughout Florida.
- 🌳 Onsite consultations
- 🚜 Installation & project management
- 🚚 Compost, mulch & soil delivery
- 🌾 Regenerative planning
Let us help you build a thriving food forest — starting with Marabou Chaya 🌿
🌿 IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS
Please note: Plants purchased through our online store are not available for pickup at our retail nursery in Spring Hill, Florida.
Online inventory is housed at a separate facility and is priced, prepared, and handled exclusively for shipping.
🌱 Looking for larger plants or more selection?
Our retail nursery location offers far more availability, including larger sizes, specialty plants, and many selections not suitable for nationwide shipping.
Local pickup is available for retail nursery purchases only.
Visit our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery page to explore in-person shopping options.
🚚 LIVE PLANT SHIPPING & TRANSIT EXPECTATIONS
Live plants naturally experience stress during shipping. Temporary leaf drop, mild wilting, or cosmetic stress is normal after transit. Most plants recover quickly with proper watering, gradual light exposure, and basic aftercare. Some plants may require additional attention during the first few weeks.
Despite careful packing, minor cosmetic damage may occur during transit. Small issues such as broken leaves or stems typically resolve with time and proper care.
If your shipping box arrives with significant external damage, please contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a carrier claim.
⏱️ SHIPPING METHOD, TIMING & TRANSIT WINDOWS
All online orders ship via UPS Ground from our Central Florida nursery.
📦 Shipping Schedule: Orders ship once weekly on Mondays to reduce the risk of packages sitting in transit over weekends. A countdown clock on our website displays the next shipping date.
🚚 Typical Transit Times:
-
Florida: 1–2 days
-
Southern U.S.: approximately 2 days
-
Midwest, West & Northern U.S.: 3–5 business days
Long-distance shipments, particularly to the western U.S., may experience additional transit time due to agricultural inspections in states such as Arizona, California, and Texas.
Extended transit times can be more challenging for small or tender plants and may require additional recovery care after arrival.
🌡️ EXTREME WEATHER & SEASONAL RISK
Live plants are sensitive to temperature extremes.
We cannot guarantee plant condition during periods of extreme summer heat or winter cold and freezing temperatures. Weather-related delays, carrier interruptions, or exposure during delivery are beyond our control.
Customers are responsible for:
-
Monitoring tracking information sent via email
-
Retrieving packages promptly upon delivery
-
Preventing plants from being left outdoors in extreme conditions
During unsafe weather, holiday shipping volume, or extended transit risk, orders may be held and shipped the following week to protect plant health.
⚠️ CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY & REFUND POLICY
By purchasing live plants, customers acknowledge and accept the risks associated with shipping, weather exposure, transit delays, and regional suitability.
Refunds or replacements are considered only under exceptional circumstances and in accordance with our return and refund policy. We are not responsible for:
-
Weather-related damage
-
Carrier delays
-
Poor plant selection for a given climate or region
-
Improper care after delivery
Upon purchase, customers assume full responsibility for the ongoing care and success of their plants.
✅ CONSENT & AGREEMENT
By completing a purchase, you confirm that you have read, understand, and agree to all shipping policies, responsibilities, and conditions outlined above.
Our goal is transparency, plant health, and long-term growing success — and we appreciate your understanding and care when ordering live plants.
