Dioscorea bulbifera: Guide to grow and care for air potato

Dioscorea bulbifera is a type of perennial vine that bears edible fruits and bulbs. This tree is also commonly known as air potato or true yam. The plant finds its origin in Africa and Asia, where it grows in abundance. 

It used to be one of the staple crops in Africa and was cultivated for consumption. The plant itself is a creeper with broad, alternate leaves and two types of storage organs. The tubers that appear like small, oblong potatoes are edible and cultivated to be eaten. 

 

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Air potato or Dioscorea bulbifera can grow rapidly, around 8 inches per day. It can rise upto a height of 60 ft as it climbs to the tops of trees. It can quickly become invasive due to its rapid growth from bulbs. 

The creeper also flowers irregularly and produces small white flowers. It thrives best in as much light as possible, like most succulents. Your home should have a large south-facing window. A temperature of fewer than 9 degrees Celsius will cause it to die, so it can’t grow indoors in colder climates.

See also: Ficus pumila: Is the creeping fig a good choice for your house?

 

Dioscorea bulbifera: Key facts

Name	Dioscorea bulbifera
Common name	True yam, air potato
Origin	Africa, Asia, and Australia
Type	Creeper
Leaves	Heart-shaped leaves
Sunlight	Full sun
Fertiliser	Compost

The Genus

Dioscorea

Native habitat

Tropical Asia, Africa

Sun tolerance

Full sun to partial sun. While it grows well under abundant sunlight, it also grows under partial sun and hence can be planted below big plants.

Mature height

Dioscorea bulbifera can grow upto 70 feet. They grow around 8 inches every day.

Leaves

The Dioscorea bulbifera have broad green leaves that have two types of storage organs.

Cold tolerance

In temp below 10 degree Celsius, the plant will die.

Self pruning characteristic

In this vine, prune the yellow green leaves that may take the nutrients away from the healthy leaves.

Growth rate

They grow around 8 inches every day.

Fruit

Air potato

Dioscorea bulbifera: Growing tips

• The plant grows best in moist, temperate areas with average annual daytime temperatures between 20 and 30°C.
• If the temperature is below 9°C, it can be killed. The species prefers a mean annual rainfall between 1,200 and 2,600 mm.
• The highest yields can be achieved with deep, well-drained, sandy loams that are not prone to waterlogging.
• It prefers a pH range of 6 – 7.
• A day length longer than 12 hours is preferable during the early growing season since this encourages vegetative growth; a day length of fewer than 12 hours will encourage tuber formation and growth towards the end of the growing season.

 

Dioscorea bulbifera: Care tips

Dioscorea bulbifera grows in the wild in continents like Africa and Asia. However, in America, it has started to become an invasive species after it was naturalised here in the past. The plant grows rapidly and can survive extreme temperatures. It is intolerant to frost but can live in lower temperatures as well. If you are thinking about growing Dioscorea bulbifera at home, you need to keep in mind some important care tips.

 

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Soil

Dioscorea bulbifera can grow in any soil as long as it is well drained. You can plant it in loamy, sandy, and clayey soil without having to worry about anything. If you are planting it at home, you can use normal garden soil with some perlite for drainage. Make sure the soil drains well; otherwise, the plant will die due to waterlogging issues.

Water

Air potato or Dioscorea bulbifera doesn’t need a lot of water to stay alive. It only requires watering once every 3 days. You can even leave it without water for a whole week without much consequence. Water it only when the topsoil has dried. Don’t overwater it, as it will lead to root rot.

Sunlight

It is an outdoor plant and thrives well in sunlight. It can also tolerate partial shade, so you can plant it under big trees.

 

Dioscorea bulbifera: Benefits

Dioscorea bulbifera is not an ornamental plant. The plant is cultivated as a food crop and acts as a staple food in the diet of people in Africa. They taste almost like potatoes and can be used in a variety of cuisines. Additionally, air potato or Dioscorea bulbifera also has several health benefits that make it one of the best vegetables to eat every day. 

 

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Here are some of the top health benefits of Dioscorea bulbifera that make it such a great vegetable:-

Cures skin problems 

Air potato is used in the powdered form to treat a variety of different skin conditions. It is known to heal blisters and boils along with skin infections. It does contain anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate swelling and pain from infections.

Improves eye health

Air potato has been known to cure and decrease symptoms of conjunctivitis. Since air potato is anti-inflammatory in nature, it brings down the swelling of the eye and cures conjunctivitis. Additionally, the nutrients in air potato or Dioscorea bulbifera also help maintain eye health.

Has antioxidant properties

Dioscorea bulbifera is rich in flavonoids and isoflavonoids that have unique antioxidant properties. Therefore, they protect the body from free radicals and help keep it fit for a long time.

Cures respiratory diseases 

Air potato has been traditionally used in Africa as ancient medicine to cure respiratory problems. They were used as home remedies to treat asthma, coughs, and tonsillitis. The anti-inflammatory qualities of Dioscorea bulbifera also help in bringing down the swelling of the windpipe due to infections.

Improves heart health

Dioscorea bulbifera can help to decrease your blood cholesterol levels and regulate your blood pressure. This activity of the plant will help maintain heart health and keep risks of heart disease at bay. 

Improves digestive health

Dioscorea bulbifera can help maintain digestive system health by improving bowel movement. It helps clear the stomach and provides relief from constipation. The skin of air potatoes especially acts as roughage and aid in digestion. 

 

Dioscorea bulbifera: Toxicity

It is possible for uncultivated forms to be poisonous, such as those that are found growing wild in Florida. Several synthetic steroidal hormones, such as those used in hormonal contraception, are manufactured using the steroid diosgenin, which is a principal component of these varieties. 

There have been reports that even wild forms are rendered edible after drying and boiling, creating confusion over their actual toxicity.

 

FAQs

What is the common name for Dioscorea bulbifera?

Dioscorea bulbifera is commonly known as air potato. Another common name for the plant is the true yam.

Can you eat Dioscorea bulbifera?

Yes, the bulbs and tubers of Dioscorea bulbifera are completely edible. The plant is grown as a staple food crop in parts of Africa.

Is air potato good for health?

Air potato or Dioscorea bulbifera has several medicinal properties that make it good for health. Consumption of air potatoes can help improve heart, lungs, and digestive health.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you.Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at [email protected]