{"id":311,"date":"2022-09-08T12:51:06","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T12:51:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/?post_type=product&p=311"},"modified":"2025-08-04T03:44:02","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T03:44:02","slug":"oca","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/product\/oca\/","title":{"rendered":"Oca"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Botanical Name:<\/strong>\u00a0Oxalis tuberosa<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some other names:<\/strong>\u00a0Oka, New Zealand Yam, Papa roja, Apilla, Hibia<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa<\/i>) is a low-growing perennial<\/b>, reaching around 30\u201340\u202fcm tall, forming a lush carpet of clover-like leaves and small yellow flowers before dying back in winter. Beneath the soil, it produces plump, jewel-toned tubers (most commonly pink or red, though yellow, orange, and even purple varieties exist).<\/p>\r\n

Climate & range:<\/b> Oca loves temperate climates<\/b> best but will grow in cooler subtropical zones. It struggles in the tropics unless you can source a heat-tolerant strain \u2014 in very hot weather (30\u202f\u00b0C+ for sustained periods), the foliage wilts and stops growing.<\/p>\r\n

Soil & sun:<\/b> Prefers full sun<\/b> and well-drained, fertile soil<\/b>, but is tough enough to give you a decent crop in poor soils. Loose, friable soil will give you bigger, straighter tubers.<\/p>\r\n

Water needs:<\/b> Fairly drought tolerant but appreciates steady moisture during its main growing phase. Think of it like potatoes \u2014 a few deep soakings at key times will reward you with better yields.<\/p>\r\n

Planting time:<\/b> Plant Oca in spring<\/b> once the soil warms up. It grows through the summer and only starts bulking up its tubers after the days shorten in autumn.<\/p>\r\n

Propagation:<\/b> The easiest way is by replanting tubers<\/b> from your last harvest in spring. Just push them a few centimetres into the soil, and they\u2019ll sprout. You can also strike tip cuttings<\/b> early in the season, though most gardeners find tubers foolproof.<\/p>\r\n

Containers:<\/b> Oca will grow well in large pots or tubs<\/b> \u2014 just replant fresh tubers every spring. Perfect if you don\u2019t want it spreading through your garden.

<\/p>\r\n

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

Oca isn\u2019t just a quirky potato substitute \u2014 it\u2019s nutritionally impressive<\/b> too. The tubers are rich in carbohydrates<\/b> (a great energy source) and provide calcium, iron, and phosphorus<\/b>, supporting strong bones and healthy blood.<\/p>\r\n

The leaves are loaded with vitamin C<\/b> and are believed to have a decent antioxidant punch<\/b>, helping the body fight off oxidative stress and inflammation. Traditionally, Oca has been used in the Andes (its native home) as a staple food crop<\/b>for centuries, with locals eating both the tubers and leaves regularly for vitality and resilience.<\/p>\r\n

Traditional & Home Remedies

<\/strong>Sun-cured Oca (Khaya)<\/strong> \u2013 Tubers soaked then sun-dried over weeks to remove oxalates and sweetness increase.<\/span>
Oca broth<\/strong> \u2013 Boiled as root vegetable in soups for energy and mild digestion aid.<\/span>
<\/span>Nutritive tonic<\/strong> \u2013 Boiled tubers and consumed for convalescence (traditional Andean custom).

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

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

Oca is one of those plants that keeps on giving in the kitchen.<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  • Leaves:<\/b> Sour and lemony \u2014 think sorrel \u2014 best used sparingly in salads, or cooked down in curries, soups, or stir-fries where their tang mellows.<\/li>\r\n
  • Tubers:<\/b> The star of the show. They don\u2019t need peeling \u2014 just scrub them clean. They can be eaten fresh, sliced thin into salads<\/b> (they\u2019re crisp, almost like radish), or cooked like potatoes<\/b> \u2014 baked, boiled, roasted, or tossed into curries and casseroles.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Storage tip:<\/b> Tubers store best unwashed<\/b> in a paper bag in a cool, dark place, or for longer storage, sealed in a bag in the fridge.<\/p>\r\n

    Simple recipe ideas:<\/b><\/p>\r\n

    – Crisp Oca Salad<\/b> \u2013 Slice raw tubers thinly and toss with lemon, olive oil, and fresh herbs for a crunchy side salad.
    – Roasted Oca Mix<\/b> \u2013 Roast whole tubers with olive oil, garlic, and rosemary for 45\u201360 minutes until golden.
    – Oca Curry<\/b> \u2013 Add cubed tubers to your favourite curry base; they soak up the spices beautifully.
    – Herbed Mash<\/b> \u2013 Boil tubers and mash with butter and parsley for a colourful twist on mashed potato.
    – Oca & Egg Breakfast Skillet<\/b> \u2013 Fry sliced tubers in a little butter, crack in eggs, and cook until set \u2013 a hearty breakfast with zing.

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

    \"\"\r\n
    Oca tubers – use just like potato

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

    Other Uses<\/b><\/h3>\r\n
      \r\n
    • Cultural importance:<\/b> Oca is a traditional staple of Andean diets, valued as a reliable, hardy crop in high-altitude, poor-soil regions.<\/li>\r\n
    • Garden helper:<\/b> Its low, spreading foliage makes a decent living mulch<\/b>, shading soil and reducing weeds.<\/li>\r\n
    • Animal fodder:<\/b> While the tubers are too precious to give away, excess leafy growth can be fed (sparingly) to poultry or rabbits.

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

      Why it\u2019s a survival plant:<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

      Reliable crop<\/b> \u2013 tough enough for poor soils and drought patches.
      Self-renewing<\/b> \u2013 plant a few tubers and you\u2019ll have your next year\u2019s crop.
      Multiple edible parts<\/b> \u2013 tubers for carbs, leaves for vitamin C.<\/p>\r\n

      If you\u2019re looking for a quirky, colourful, and calorie-rich survival food<\/b>, Oca deserves a spot in your garden.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Oca is a colourful, hardy perennial grown for its tangy, nutty tubers that brighten up any plate. Thriving in cooler climates, it\u2019s an easy-care survival crop that keeps producing year after year with minimal effort.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":164,"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":[38,39,45],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-311","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-cooler-climate-plants","7":"product_cat-drought-resistant-plants","8":"product_cat-soups-and-curries","10":"first","11":"instock","12":"shipping-taxable","13":"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