Mashua “Puca-añu” (organic)

Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) var Puca-añu

This great Andean vegetable (Mashua), aka  tuberous nasturtium, añu, or cubio is a root crop that from the Andes mountains of South America. This beautiful vining plant resembles Nasturtium is often treasured as an ornamental producing upto 5 lbs of peppery edible tubers.  The leaves are also edible! Can grow in partial shade and does better in cooler weather under 80* F, but you just get a lower yield at higher temps.

We sourced our original mother tubers from the amazing breeders at Cultivariable. You can buy tubers from them at https://www.cultivariable.com/product/mashua/mashua-varieties/mashua-puca-anu/

Puca-añu is a Peruvian heirloom variety originally brought to the USA by Oregon Exotics.  This is a striped heirloom variety that is medium sized tubers and reaches upto 7 feet tall.  You can see the light red splashes against the beige yellow tubers in the image from Cultivariable.

USDA Organic

Pot Size: 4in

Plant Size: huge tuber in pot (Nov-March), Vine April- Nov (3inch- 9 inch+)

USDA Hardiness: 8-12 (though 9 is the ideal)