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🌿 African Potato Mint – 4" Pot – Groundcover & Nutrient-Rich Food Source (Plectranthus rotundifolius)

Small start, big rewards! Our 4-inch African Potato Mint is the perfect entry point for gardeners wanting to grow this rare edible perennial. Affordable, adaptable, and fast-spreading, this hardy groundcover produces delicious, potato-like tubers rich in nutrients. Whether you’re starting a food forest, filling in between fruit trees, or experimenting with container gardening, this little plant packs a big punch.

📦 Ships in a 4-inch container

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🌿 Quick Facts

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Plectranthus rotundifolius
Plant Type	Edible perennial groundcover
Sale Size	4-inch pot
Mature Height & Width	~12” tall, spreading mat
USDA Zones	9–11
Sun Requirements	Full sun to partial shade
Cold Hardiness	Frost-tender; protect below 32°F
Growth Habit	Low, mat-forming, spreading
Spacing Requirements	12–18” apart for full coverage

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🍠 Why Choose the 4" Size?

• Budget-Friendly Start – Get this rare edible crop at an affordable price.
• Easy to Transplant – Small pots mean less transplant shock for young gardeners and new growers.
• Fast-Spreading Growth – Once planted, the mat quickly fills in, creating a lush groundcover.
• Best for Regional Shipping – Ideal for Florida, the Southeast, and Texas. In cooler/drier regions, the larger 1-gallon size is recommended for better resilience.

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🍽 Edible Tubers: Nutritious & Delicious

• Flavor & Texture: Mild, potato-like, tender, and slightly nutty.
• Cooking Methods: Roast, boil, fry, or mash — a versatile potato substitute.
• Cultural Significance: Known as Sava in Africa, a staple food with a long history of nourishing families.
• Harvest Season: Late summer to fall (Zones 9–11).

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🌱 Seasonal Cycle & Dormancy: What to Expect

• Dormancy in Cooler Zones: In regions with winter cold, African Potato Mint goes dormant — leaves yellow, wither, or fully die back. This is natural and signals the plant is resting. Don’t panic if foliage disappears; new growth will return in spring.
• Spring Revival: Warmer temperatures and spring rains trigger new shoots to emerge from underground tubers.
• Tuber Dormancy: Harvested tubers typically undergo a 2–3 month rest period before sprouting again.
• Best Regions for Growth:
  • Zones 10–11: Thrives year-round, minimal dormancy.
  • Zone 9: Seasonal dormancy; protect with mulch or grow in containers for overwintering.
  • Zones below 9: Grow in containers and bring indoors for winter survival.

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🌾 Harvesting & Storage

• When to Harvest: Best harvested when foliage yellows and dies back, signaling the tubers are ready.
• How to Harvest: Gently lift soil to collect tubers. Leave some in the ground for perennial regrowth.
• Storage: Cure tubers briefly, then store in a cool, dry place. Not a long-term storage crop in warm/humid conditions.
• Pro Tip: In containers, continue light watering during dormancy to prevent tubers from shriveling.

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✅ Best Practices for Planting & Care

• Where to Plant: Borders, orchard understory, rock gardens, or as erosion control.
• How to Plant: Bury tubers 2” deep; mulch around (not on) stems.
• Watering:
  • In-Ground: Keep soil moist when young; once established, occasional deep watering is enough. During dormancy, little to no irrigation is required.
  • Container: Soil dries faster — water lightly during dormancy to keep tubers hydrated.
• Fertilization: Thrives in compost-rich soil with organic matter.
• Winter Care: Protect with mulch in ground, or overwinter containers indoors.

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🪴 Container Growing Tips

• Great size for patio or balcony gardeners.
• Use a deep, well-draining pot (2–3 gallons to start).
• Place in bright light, avoiding harsh afternoon sun.
• Maintain even soil moisture during active growth.
• During dormancy, reduce watering but don’t let tubers fully dry out.

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🌱 Top Benefits & Uses

✅ Dual-purpose: edible + ornamental

✅ Low-maintenance groundcover to suppress weeds & prevent erosion

✅ Nutrient-rich food source packed with minerals & vitamins

✅ Cultural & medicinal heritage valued for centuries

✅ Excellent companion plant under fruit trees or along borders

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⚠️ Cautions

• Frost Sensitive: Protect below 32°F.
• Avoid Soggy Soil: Overwatering can cause root rot.

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🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?

✅ Ideal for:

• Gardeners in Florida, the Southeast, and Texas (USDA Growing Zones 9-11)
• Food forest & permaculture projects needing affordable starter plants
• Beginners wanting to try a new edible groundcover

❌ Not Ideal for:

• Cold climates without greenhouse/indoor protection
• Gardeners who want an immediate, large harvest (choose the 1-gallon size instead)

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Fun Fact

African Potato Mint belongs to the mint family — you can tell by its square stems and creeping growth habit. Just like mint, it propagates easily, symbolizing abundance and generosity.

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Give your garden a unique and affordable start with the 4-inch African Potato Mint 🌿🍠.

Perfect for beginners and small spaces, this hardy edible groundcover will spread, thrive, and reward you with nutritious tubers.

Order today and watch your living pantry grow!

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📍 Local Pickup

Available for Local Pickup at GreenDreams!

18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610

Open Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM 🌿