Botanical Name: Sauropus androgynous
Some other names: Katuk, Star gooseberry, Tropical asparagus
How to Grow It
Sweet Leaf (Sauropus androgynous), also known as Katuk or Tropical Asparagus, is a hardy perennial shrub that can reach around 2 metres tall if left untrimmed. It forms a dense, leafy bush with bright green oval leaves and reddish new shoots, making it an attractive addition to any food garden — it’s one of those rare edibles that can sit happily alongside ornamentals without looking out of place.
Climate & range: Naturally found in tropical and subtropical Asia, Sweet Leaf grows best in warm, humid climates, but will also do well in cooler areas — it simply slows down or dies back in winter, then resprouts in spring.
Sun & soil: It will happily grow in full sun or part shade, though shaded plants often produce softer, sweeter leaves. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil, but I’ve seen it do surprisingly well in ordinary (even poor) soils.
Water & feeding: Regular watering keeps it lush and productive, but it’s drought tolerant — it’ll just pause growth until rain returns. Feeding with compost or liquid fertilisers (like worm juice or seaweed tea) gives a noticeable boost to leaf production.
Propagation: The easiest method is tip cuttings — just snip off 10–15cm pieces and stick them in soil during the rainy season, and most will strike. You can also plant from seed (if you can find it), but cuttings are faster and more reliable.
Pots & containers: Perfect for pots near the kitchen — a bit of water and the occasional feed will keep a steady supply of tender tips right at your back door.
Tip: Keep trimming or harvesting regularly. Not only does it keep the plant bushy and productive, but those tip cuttings can be replanted to start new bushes.
Herbal & Nutrient Value
Sweet Leaf isn’t just another green — it’s one of the most protein-rich leafy vegetables you can grow, with around 5–7% protein by weight in fresh leaves (that’s really high for a plant!).
It’s also a great source of:
- Calcium (bone and teeth strength)
- Potassium (for healthy blood pressure)
- Phosphorus (energy and metabolism)
- Vitamins A, B & C (immune support, vision, skin health)
Herbal uses: In traditional Southeast Asian medicine, Sweet Leaf is valued as a postpartum recovery food and is thought to boost milk production in nursing mothers. It’s also used as a general tonic for vitality and energy.
Traditional & Home Remedies
Postpartum Soup: Leaves simmered with chicken broth, ginger, and garlic.
Lactation Tea: Lightly boiled leaves steeped in hot water and drunk (only small amounts).
Immune Booster Juice: Cooked leaves blended with lemon and honey (not raw in high amounts).
A quick caution: There have been reports of lung issues in people who consumed extremely large amounts of raw Sweet Leaf leaves daily (we’re talking handfuls, every day, for months). Used normally — in salads, stir-fries, teas — it’s considered perfectly safe and very healthy.
Using It in the Kitchen
Sweet Leaf has a pleasant, pea-like flavour that makes it one of those “you’ll love it straight off the bush” plants.
- Fresh leaves are fantastic in salads and sandwiches, either on their own or mixed with other greens.
- Tip cuttings (the soft new growth) can be steamed or stir-fried on their own — this is where the nickname “tropical asparagus” comes from.
- Older leaves are best chopped into soups, curries, and casseroles for their nutrition — the flavour is subtle and can get lost with long cooking, but the nutrients remain.
- Best tip: Add the leaves right at the end of cooking if you want to preserve that fresh, green taste.
– add to salads or cooking
Simple recipe ideas
– Sweet Leaf Garden Salad: Toss the young leaves with cucumber, tomato, and a splash of lime juice for a fresh, pea-flavoured salad.
– Tropical Asparagus Stir-Fry: Stir-fry the tender tip cuttings in sesame oil with garlic and soy for a two-minute side dish.
– Sweet Leaf Omelette: Chop a handful of leaves and add them at the last minute to a fluffy omelette — they’ll stay green and vibrant.
– Leafy Coconut Curry: Add a big handful of Sweet Leaf to a coconut-based curry just before serving — it wilts beautifully.
– Quick Stock Booster: Throw some leaves and stems into soups and stocks to enrich them with extra minerals.
Other Uses
- Ornamental value: Sweet Leaf’s bushy habit and pretty reddish new tips make it look good in mixed garden beds.
- Animal fodder: Chickens, ducks, and rabbits love it (just don’t let them demolish the whole plant!).
- Living mulch & hedge: Its dense growth can shade soil, suppress weeds, and work as a light windbreak around vegetable patches.
Why it’s a survival plant:
Sweet Leaf is practically a “set and forget” crop — plant it once and enjoy a long, reliable harvest of protein-packed leaves for years. It tolerates sun or shade, wet or dry, and gives you tender tips for stir-fries, salads, and soups almost all year. In short, it’s one of the best “backyard greens” you can grow for real food security.
