African Potato Mint, Livingstone Potato
Plectranthus esculentus
Another one of my experiments. I am dearly hoping that this plant will manage through light frost, drought, tropical downpours, and humidity. This was purchased at Top Tropicals for $20 today.
In case you don't want to read the referenced articles below for yourself...
- It is a mint and loves moisture and heat
- Eat the tuber like a common potato
- Tubers are bland or have a slight mint taste
- Tubers are extremely nutritious with 80% starch, 13% essential amino acids, calcium, iron and Vitamin A
- Tubers are susceptible to nematode damage (grow in pots)
- Caterpillars can be a problem on the leaves (handpick or use BT)
- Pieces of the tuber are used to propagate more plants (best done when rains start)
Referenced:
