Livingstone potato (Zulu round potato) Coleus esculentus
Livingstone potato (Zulu round potato) (Coleus esculentus) is an evergreen perennial vegetable in the Lamiaceae family, native to Tropical and southern Africa (syn. Plectranthus esculentus). It grows 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) tall and 50–80 cm (20–31 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Livingstone potato (Zulu round potato) in your garden →
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Livingstone potato (Zulu round potato) at a glance
| Type | Perennial vegetable, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50–80 cm (20–31 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 17–26 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: finger-shaped tubers (boiled, roasted) |
| Native to | Tropical and southern Africa (syn. Plectranthus esculentus) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇳🇬 Nigeria |
Is Livingstone potato (Zulu round 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 Livingstone potato (Zulu round potato)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Livingstone potato (Zulu round potato)
- How far apart should I plant Livingstone potato (Zulu round potato)?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–80 cm (20–31 in).
- Does Livingstone potato (Zulu round potato) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Livingstone potato (Zulu round potato) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Livingstone potato (Zulu round potato)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Livingstone potato (Zulu round potato) flower?
- About 17–26 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Livingstone potato (Zulu round 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 Livingstone potato (Zulu round potato)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Livingstone potato (Zulu round 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
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
Notes and assumptions
- An upright, yellow-flowered herb that dies back after making a cluster of finger-like tubers. Grown in the Jos Plateau of Nigeria and southern Africa; increasingly rare as a crop.
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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