Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond) Cyperus esculentus
Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond) (Cyperus esculentus) is an evergreen perennial vegetable in the Cyperaceae family, native to Africa, southern Europe and western Asia (the edible form is an ancient crop of Egypt). It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
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Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond) at a glance
| Type | Perennial vegetable, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cyperaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–13 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: small tubers (raw, dried, roasted; horchata de chufa, kunun aya) |
| Native to | Africa, southern Europe and western Asia (the edible form is an ancient crop of Egypt) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇲🇦 Morocco |
| Invasive in | Wild yellow nutsedge forms are among the world’s worst weeds of crops in warm and temperate regions, including North America and Europe (CABI): check local rules before planting |
Is Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond) 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 Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond)
- How far apart should I plant Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond)?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
- Does Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond)?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond) flower?
- About 9–13 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond) 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 Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Tiger nut (chufa, earth almond). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
Notes and assumptions
- Grow it in a container or a contained bed: each plant makes dozens of small tubers and is very hard to eradicate. Tubers were found in predynastic Egyptian tombs; Valencia’s horchata de chufa and northern Nigeria’s kunun aya are made from them.
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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