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Image of the delightful Dioscorea bulbifera or Air Potato vine
coming soon... |
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Dioscorea bulbifera
(Air Potato) |
Family: Liliopsidaceae
Origin: Native to tropical Africa and Asia
Light: Bright light
Height: >40'
Spacing: 3-6"
Blooms: Fragrant, small, pale green, late Fall
Foliage: Dark green, heart-shaped, veined, shiny
Soil: Well-drained, light moist, drought tolerant when established
(Soil pH: 5.6-7.5, acidic-neutral)
Water: Regular, do not water when dormant in Winter
Fertilizer: Balanced fertilizer 10-10-10, monthly or bi-monthly
Propagation: Tubers
Uses: Trellis, arbor, fencing, shade garden
Caution: This vine may be invasive
Comments: Dioscorea bulbifera or Air Potato is an exotic vigorous climber
with an upright vining habit. This plant has beautiful bright
green leaves and produces interesting aerial potatoes hanging along the
vines at intermitent intervals. These pototoes are very ornamental
and they need to be harvested for propagation or share them with friends
or they will grow into plants when the potatoes drop to the ground.
Dioscorea bulbifera
loves heat and can withstand a dry atmosphere or
neglectful watering. There are 2 types of air potatoes - the smooth
skinned (Dioscorea bulbifera Linnaeus) and the rough skinned. The former taste bitter while
latter tastes delicious when cooked in soup, commonly used as a herb by
the Chinese, supposedly to prevent greying of hair growth.
Dioscorea bulbifera freezes to the ground in zone 8b but returns
every the following season every year. I love this stunning
tropical-looking vine for its floral fragrance, lush glossy hear-shaped leaves
and its interesting aeiral bulbils.
Air Potato is tropial-looking, low maintenance and carefree and has not been invasive for me
in my shade garden.
USDA Hardiness Zones : 8b-11 |
