Hausa potato (Coleus rotundifolius)
Care, watering, light and tips for Hausa potato on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 4 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
About Hausa potato
Coleus rotundifolius, commonly known as Hausa potato, is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Lamiaceae family, cultivated for its edible tubers and sometimes as an ornamental for its foliage. It features ovate to rounded leaves, often bright green, and can form dense clumps. It is ideal for vegetable gardens, garden borders, or as an understory plant in warm, humid climates.
Native range
West and Central Tropical Africa
Care tips
It requires full to partial sunlight for optimal growth and good tuber production. Watering should be regular and abundant, keeping the substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. It prefers fertile, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. A common mistake to avoid is letting the soil dry out completely, which can stress the plant and reduce tuber yield.