Oca Oxalis tuberosa
Oca (Oxalis tuberosa) is a deciduous perennial vegetable in the Oxalidaceae family, native to High Andes (Peru and Bolivia). It grows 20–40 cm (8–16 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Oca in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Oca at a glance
| Type | Perennial vegetable, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Oxalidaceae |
| Mature height | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 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 | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 25 °C (77 °F) |
| Flowering | about 17–29 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: tubers, leaves (small amounts) |
| Native to | High Andes (Peru and Bolivia) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇪 Peru |
Is Oca toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: foliage, raw tubers
Contains soluble oxalates, higher in raw tubers and leaves; sun-curing the tubers lowers the sour taste.
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 Oca
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Oca
- How far apart should I plant Oca?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Oca need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Oca need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Oca?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Oca flower?
- About 17–29 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Oca poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Contains soluble oxalates, higher in raw tubers and leaves; sun-curing the tubers lowers the sour taste.
- What grows well with Oca?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Oca. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Tubers form only as days shorten, so it crops late in autumn; frost kills the top but tubers survive in the ground. Seldom sets seed.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Carambola (star fruit) Averrhoa carambola
- Bilimbi (cucumber tree) Averrhoa bilimbi
- Tomato Solanum lycopersicum
- Cherry tomato Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme
- Potato Solanum tuberosum
- Bell pepper Capsicum annuum
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Carrot Daucus carota subsp. sativus