Based on the characteristics of water spinach whether or not it can bear seeds, divided into two types of water spinach, vine water spinach.

(1) Ipomoea

Seed-bearing type, mainly by seed propagation, can also be propagated by cuttings. Vigorous growth potential. Strong drought tolerance, thicker stems, short internodes, large leaves, light green leaf color, high yield, summer and fall flowering and fruiting. Generally planted in dry land, but also aquatic, is the main type of cultivation. According to the color of the flower is divided into two kinds of white-flowered water spinach and purple-flowered water spinach.

①White-flowered water spinach

Flowers white, stem and leaves thick, brittle texture, green and white stalks. Leaf blades are oblong-ovoid and the basal leaves are heart-shaped. High yield. Slow response to sunlight, adaptable, cultivated throughout the country. Varieties are Guangzhou big bone green, Ji'an water spinach, Gan water spinach, green peduncle water spinach and so on.

② Purple flower water spinach

Flower purple, stalks, leaf veins slightly purple. More fiber, poor quality, cultivation area is small. Varieties of Hubei red stalked bamboo leaf lettuce, Sichuan small water spinach, Zhejiang Wenzhou water spinach and Longyou hollow cabbage.

(2) vine water spinach

Generally less flowering, seeding is more difficult. Asexual reproduction with the stem. Smaller leaves, tender texture, better quality, long growing period, high yield. Cultivated mainly in paddy fields or marshes, can also be cultivated in drylands. Varieties are Guangdong fine-leafed water spinach, silk water spinach, Thailand hollow cabbage, Sichuan water spinach, water spinach in Jiangxi and so on.

According to the color of the stalks of water spinach can also be divided into purple stalks, white stalks and green stalks three categories.

According to the different forms of cultivation of water spinach is divided into dry water spinach and water spinach. Dry water spinach, also known as small water spinach, thin stems, short nodes, strong flavor, dense texture, drought-resistant, slightly lower yield, suitable for dryland cultivation. Water spinach, also known as water spinach, thick stems and leaves, long nodes, easy to produce adventitious roots, brittle texture, higher yields. Cultivated in shallow or deep water (some varieties can also be cultivated in dry land).