Description

Purple Yam Ube PLANT – Dioscorea alata

Purple Yam Ube – Dioscorea alata is a tuberous root vegetable and a fast-growing herbaceous perennial vine that dyes off in winter and comes back in spring. It produces large purple coloured tubers. They must be cooked before eating and can be prepared and enjoyed in many ways. We use them as a potatoe substitute, to make dumplings, and to make delicious desserts. The tubers can also be dehydrated, and ground. The powder can be added to many different dishes. Purple yam is a very easy-to-grow plant. It prefers a half-shade position and something to climb on.

Planting and growing tips:

1. Give it a good drink and place it in a half-shade position out of the wind.
2. Leave it in the original pot for a few days until it recovers from the journey.
3. Re-pot or plant into a larger pot or to the ground at the latest when the roots start to come out of the bottom holes.
4. Watering straight after planting is essential!
5. It will grow in nearly all sorts of soil but like many plants, it doesn’t like to sit in water so a well-drained position is best. All our edibles grow happily and quickly in slightly raised garden beds.
6. The tubers harvesting time is usually in winter when the leaves die off. Leave some small pieces in the ground or replant to a different position for the next season.

Additional notes:

• The price is for one plant in a small to medium size pot, naturally grown with love in my permaculture food forest in Pacific Haven QLD Australia. Sending Australia-wide – NOT to NORFOLK ISLAND, NT, SA, TAS or WA. Pick up by appointment only.
• The potted plant image if there is any is just an example. I am usually adding images of the mature plants and crop for you to see what you can expect when growing this plant.
• Most of our nursery plants grow in a half-shade. Introducing them to the sun slowly before replanting them to their permanent position will promote healthy growth.
• We usually dispatch on Monday to make sure the plant arrives at your place before the weekend.
• Do your own research before trying any new foods. Please also note our disclaimer in the footer of this page.