{"id":307,"date":"2022-09-08T12:51:03","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T12:51:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/?post_type=product&p=307"},"modified":"2025-08-04T04:02:31","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T04:02:31","slug":"mukuna-wenna","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/product\/mukuna-wenna\/","title":{"rendered":"Mukuna wenna"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Botanical Name:<\/strong>\u00a0Alternanthera versicolor<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to Grow It<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Mukuna Wenna (Alternanthera versicolor<\/i>) is an extremely hardy perennial<\/b>, growing into a spreading mat around 30\u201340cm tall<\/b>. Its bright green and burgundy-red leaves make it a decorative groundcover<\/b>, and it\u2019s just as happy in a veggie patch as it is softening the edges of a garden bed or spilling over a hanging basket.<\/p>\r\n

It handles sun and shade equally well<\/b> \u2013 in fact, you\u2019ll get more vivid red tones in full sun, but the leaves stay more tender in partial shade. It loves the heat and will happily grow year-round in tropical and subtropical regions. In cooler areas, it may die back over winter but will usually reshoot in spring<\/b> without any fuss.<\/p>\r\n

Mukuna Wenna is remarkably forgiving<\/b> about soil. It thrives in wet or boggy spots<\/b> (it\u2019s almost lush then), but it\u2019s also drought tolerant<\/b>. In drier conditions, the stems can get \u201cstalky\u201d and it may bolt to seed, but you\u2019ll still get usable leaves.<\/p>\r\n

It\u2019s almost impossible to kill \u2013 I\u2019ve grown it with no fertiliser at all, and it still thrives. That said, a sprinkle of compost or a splash of seaweed solution now and then will keep it leafy and happy.<\/p>\r\n

Propagation is ridiculously easy:
Pull up a clump<\/b> \u2013 roots, stems, whatever \u2013 and replant it where you want it.
Tip cuttings<\/b> strike almost every time, even if they\u2019re not rooted.
It also grows beautifully in pots and hanging baskets, where it trails attractively over the sides.<\/p>\r\n

If you\u2019re after a low-maintenance edible that doubles as garden \u201ccolour,\u201d this is your plant.

<\/p>\r\n

Herbal & Nutrient Value<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

There isn\u2019t a ton of published research on the nutrition of Mukuna Wenna, but given its long history as a valued herb in traditional Eastern medicine<\/b>, it\u2019s safe to assume it\u2019s rich in vitamins and minerals.<\/p>\r\n

Its deep red-purple leaves<\/b> likely mean it\u2019s high in anthocyanins<\/b> \u2013 the same powerful antioxidants found in blueberries and purple cabbage \u2013 which help fight inflammation and support heart health.<\/p>\r\n

Traditionally, Mukuna Wenna has been used in Ayurvedic and Sri Lankan remedies<\/b> for cleansing the blood, cooling the body, and supporting digestion. It\u2019s also regarded as a mild tonic herb \u2013 the kind you can eat regularly for gentle, long-term health benefits.<\/p>\r\n

Traditional & Home Remedies<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Leaf Poultice<\/strong> \u2013 Crushed leaves applied to insect bites or minor skin irritation.
Cooling Herbal Drink<\/strong> \u2013 Light infusion of leaves drunk in folk traditions as a summer tonic.
Leaf Bath<\/strong> \u2013 Water infused with leaves added to baths for cooling effect.

<\/p>\r\n

Using It in the Kitchen<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Mukuna Wenna isn\u2019t a big flavour plant \u2013 the leaves are mild and slightly earthy<\/b>, so they\u2019re best used with other greens <\/b>for colour, texture, and variety.<\/p>\r\n

The striking purple leaves<\/b> really lift a green salad or sandwich \u2013 they look fantastic mixed with lettuce or spinach.
In stir-fries, curries, and soups<\/b>, the leaves wilt quickly and add extra nutrition (and a splash of colour if added at the last minute).
The stems are edible too, but best cooked \u2013 they can be a little stringy raw.<\/p>\r\n

Storage tip:<\/b> Pick fresh as you need it \u2013 the leaves wilt fairly quickly. If you must store it, wrap in a damp tea towel and refrigerate for up to two days.<\/p>\r\n

Simple recipe ideas:<\/b>
– Colourful Salad Bowl<\/b> \u2013 Mix Mukuna Wenna with rocket, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes for a bright salad.
– Green-and-Red Stir-Fry<\/b> \u2013 Toss stems and leaves into a hot wok with garlic and soy sauce for the last 30 seconds of cooking.
– Soup Topper<\/b> \u2013 Scatter fresh leaves over miso soup or chicken broth just before serving.
– Egg Scramble Booster<\/b> \u2013 Fold chopped Mukuna Wenna leaves into scrambled eggs for colour and a nutrition boost.
– Curry Garnish<\/b> \u2013 Add a handful of leaves at the end of cooking curries \u2013 they wilt fast and add vibrant red-green streaks.

<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"\r\n
Freshly harvested Mukuna wenna\u00a0
leaves – remove the stalks & flowers

<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Other Uses<\/b><\/h3>\r\n
    \r\n
  • Garden beauty:<\/b> Mukuna Wenna doubles as an ornamental groundcover, edging paths, beds, and even pond borders.<\/li>\r\n
  • Soil health:<\/b> You can cut it back and use the trimmings as light mulch or add to compost \u2013 it breaks down quickly.<\/li>\r\n
  • Animal fodder:<\/b> Chickens, rabbits, and other small animals will nibble the leaves happily.

    <\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Why Mukuna Wenna is a survival plant<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

    It\u2019s almost impossible to kill<\/b> \u2013 drought, bog, sun, or shade, it keeps going.
    Leaves year-round<\/b> in warm climates, with minimal care.
    Adds colour and nutrition<\/b> to meals when other greens might be scarce.<\/p>\r\n

    This is the kind of plant you could plant once and rely on for years \u2013 a quiet, cheerful little survivor that earns its place in any food garden.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Mukuna Wenna is a colourful, low-growing perennial that thrives with little care, offering year-round leaves for salads, stir-fries, and more. With its vibrant red foliage and near-unkillable nature, it\u2019s a cheerful, nutritious, and reliable survival plant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":148,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":100,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[37,42,43,46],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-307","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-bog-water-plants","7":"product_cat-pot-and-container-plants","8":"product_cat-salad-leaves","9":"product_cat-stir-fry-plants","11":"first","12":"instock","13":"shipping-taxable","14":"product-type-simple"},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t