• Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) climbing plant with green foliage and colorful flowers, grown as a traditional Andean tuber crop in a home garden.
  • Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) climbing plant with green foliage and colorful flowers, grown as a traditional Andean tuber crop in a home garden.
  • Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) climbing plant with green foliage and colorful flowers, grown as a traditional Andean tuber crop in a home garden.
1 3

Eden Valley Seeds

Mashua Seeds (Tropaeolum tuberosum) – Andean Edible Tuber Plant

Mashua Seeds (Tropaeolum tuberosum) – Andean Edible Tuber Plant

$18.89 USD
$18.89 USD
Sale Sold out
size

DELIVERY ESTIMATE

—

Estimated arrival

ORDER—Order placed
ORDER READY—Processing estimate
DELIVERED—Estimated delivery

♢

Secure checkout
Carefully packed seeds
Tracked delivery
Quality-focused selection
View full details

Key Features

  • Plant Variety: Mashua, an Andean tuber crop known for its edible underground tubers.

  • Flower Colors: Produces attractive flowers that may appear in yellow, orange, or reddish tones, depending on the variety.

  • Plant Characteristics: Vigorous climbing perennial grown as an annual in many gardens.

  • Garden Uses: Suitable for vegetable gardens, trellises, and edible landscape planting.

  • Unique Feature: Develops distinctive tubers and climbing foliage, offering an unusual crop for adventurous gardeners.

Growing Benefits

  • Introduces an interesting traditional Andean crop to your home vegetable garden.

  • Makes productive use of vertical garden space with climbing supports.

  • Adds ornamental foliage and colorful flowers to edible landscapes.

  • Offers an opportunity to explore less common edible tuber plants.

  • Provides a rewarding growing project for gardeners interested in diverse food crops.

Seed Specifications

  • Common Name: Mashua, Anu, Andean Nasturtium

  • Botanical Name: Tropaeolum tuberosum

  • Plant Type: Climbing herbaceous perennial, commonly grown as an annual

  • Colors: Green foliage, yellow-orange to reddish flowers, and tubers that vary in color by variety.

  • Height: Can climb several feet when supported; mature growth depends on climate and growing conditions.

  • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade may help in hot climates.

  • Soil: Loose, fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

  • Water: Regular moisture without waterlogging.

  • Germination Time: Variable and dependent on seed freshness, temperature, and seed preparation; reliable timing is not established for all seed lots.

  • Sowing Depth: Follow supplier instructions for botanical seeds, as seed propagation is less common than tuber propagation.

  • Spacing: Allow generous space for climbing growth and good airflow; provide a sturdy trellis.

  • Growing Zones: Best suited to cool, mild growing conditions; perennial survival depends on winter temperatures.

  • Flowering/Maturity: Flowers during the growing season; tuber development depends on day length, temperature, and growing conditions.

  • Uses: Edible tuber cultivation, traditional Andean food gardens, and ornamental climbing displays.

Growing Tips

  • Provide a sturdy trellis or climbing support before the vines become large.

  • Choose a cool growing location with fertile, well-drained soil.

  • Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during active growth.

  • Confirm seed viability and sowing requirements with your supplier before planting.

Seed Storage

Keep seeds in a clearly labeled, airtight container in a cool, dry, dark location. Protect them from moisture and excessive heat. Because seed longevity varies, follow the supplier's storage recommendations and avoid assuming that stored seeds will retain a particular germination rate.

Unique Facts About Mashua

  • Andean heritage: Mashua has a long history as a traditional food crop in the Andean region of South America.

  • Unusual edible tubers: The plant develops underground tubers that are valued as a traditional food.

  • Climbing growth: Its vigorous vines belong to the Tropaeolum genus, which also includes familiar garden nasturtiums.

  • Cool-climate preference: Mashua is adapted to highland growing conditions and may perform poorly in prolonged heat.

Growing Instructions

Planting Season

Choose a planting period that provides cool growing weather and enough time for the plant to establish before the end of the growing season. In warm climates, avoid the hottest part of the year.

Seed Preparation and Sowing

Mashua is most commonly propagated from tubers rather than botanical seeds. If your product contains true seeds, check the supplier's germination guidance before sowing because seed germination can be less predictable than tuber propagation.

Sowing Depth and Spacing

Follow the seed supplier's recommended sowing depth. Once seedlings establish, provide sufficient spacing for the climbing vines to spread and for air to circulate around the foliage.

Sunlight and Soil

Choose a location with full sun or partial shade and fertile, loose, well-drained soil. In hotter regions, partial afternoon shade may reduce heat stress. Avoid heavy soil that remains waterlogged.

Watering and Germination

Maintain consistent soil moisture without soaking the planting area. Keep newly sown seeds in suitable conditions according to the supplier's instructions. Germination time may vary with seed quality and environmental conditions.

Transplanting

If starting seeds indoors, transplant established seedlings after they have developed healthy growth and outdoor conditions are suitable. Minimize root disturbance and install climbing support early.

Fertilizing and Plant Care

Incorporate mature compost into the soil before planting. Use a balanced fertilizer only when needed and follow the product label. Guide the vines onto their support and remove damaged foliage as necessary.

Flowering and Maturity

Mashua produces climbing foliage and attractive flowers during active growth. Tuber formation depends on environmental conditions, particularly temperature and day length. In suitable climates, tubers are generally harvested toward the end of the growing season after sufficient development.