Ullucus tuberosus
Ulluco
Common names: Papa Lisa, Andean tuber
Photo: Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785 - 1865) · Public Domain · Source
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Description
Ulluco (*Ullucus tuberosus*) is a tuberous plant native to the Andes that produces brightly colored, glossy tubers in yellow, pink, or violet. The plant grows prostrate to slightly climbing, forming dense, heart‑shaped leaves that can also be used as a leafy green. It is short‑day dependent, beginning tuber formation only when days shorten in late summer, so harvest typically occurs in late autumn just before the first hard frost.
Care instructions
Plant the tubers in mid‑May (week 20) in loose, humus‑rich soil once the danger of late frosts has passed. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging; mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Lightly mound the plants during the summer to encourage tuber development, similar to potatoes. Because tuber formation starts with shorter days, harvest in October or November, before the first hard frost, as tubers do not tolerate sub‑zero temperatures in the ground. Store harvested tubers in a cool, dark place for several weeks.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
humus-rich, well-drained, nutrient-rich, moist
Feeding
Medium feeder
Notes from real gardens
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