Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato) Coleus rotundifolius
Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato) (Coleus rotundifolius) is an evergreen perennial vegetable in the Lamiaceae family, native to Tropical Africa; also grown in South and Southeast Asia (syn. Plectranthus rotundifolius, Solenostemon rotundifolius). It grows 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 8 °C (46 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato) at a glance
| Type | Perennial vegetable, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 8 °C (46 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 13–19 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: small dark tubers (boiled, roasted) |
| Native to | Tropical Africa; also grown in South and Southeast Asia (syn. Plectranthus rotundifolius, Solenostemon rotundifolius) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇮🇳 India, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Is Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato)
- How far apart should I plant Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato)?
- It tolerates about 8 °C (46 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato) flower?
- About 13–19 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Hausa potato (frafra potato, Sudan potato). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Lost Crops of Africa, vol. I Grains (1996), II Vegetables (2006), III Fruits (2008), National Research Council, National Academies Press, Washington DC
- PROTA4U: Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, PROTA Foundation, Wageningen
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- A sprawling, aromatic mint relative grown on ridges for clusters of small, aromatic tubers; the frafra potato of northern Ghana. Moved into Coleus from Plectranthus in 2019.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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