Coleus esculentus (Plectranthus esculentus)

Tsenza, also known as the African potato or wild potato, is a true heirloom of southern Africa, celebrated as one of the "lost crops" of the continent. Once widely cultivated across sub-Saharan Africa, Tsenza was nearly forgotten and even considered locally extinct in South Africa until a few isolated wild plants were discovered growing near Nelspruit. This remarkable species has long been of interest to researchers at the University of Pretoria's Manie van der Schijff Botanical Garden, where it is now a central focus of studies within the Future Africa Indigenous and Orphan Crops Collection, in collaboration with the African Plant Systems Biology for the Bioeconomy Research Group of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute.

The specific Tsenza clone supplied by Livingseeds was originally sourced from Arne Verhoef, and traces its roots back to Rusape, Zimbabwe. Early data from extensive field trials has shown that this clone is extraordinarily productive under local conditions. Remarkably, research plots at the University of Pretoria have yielded over 60 tons per hectare under dryland (rainfed) cultivation, highlighting its potential as a robust, sustainable, and high-yielding food crop ideally suited for low-input agriculture. This yield is simply incredible! They have also achieved a 20 ton per hectare in a drought stressed environment. Tsenza truly is a crop with huge potential.

Tsenza produces crisp, juicy tubers with a distinctly earthy flavour, richer and more complex than regular potatoes. While its texture is similar to common potatoes, its flavour adds unique depth to everyday meals. The skin can initially be bitter, making it best to blanch briefly and peel before eating, although longer cooking times also reduce bitterness effectively. Versatile in the kitchen, Tsenza tubers can be boiled, roasted, steamed, fried, or baked—indeed, any preparation used for potatoes or sweet potatoes works equally well for this remarkable crop. They are also among the few root vegetables enjoyed raw, providing a nutritious snack fresh from the soil.

Tsenza’s nutritional value is impressive, featuring around 80% starch and a complete profile of all 13 essential amino acids. Additionally, it offers significant levels of calcium, iron, and vitamin C, reinforcing its potential role in enhancing food security and improving nutritional diversity in southern Africa.

Livingseeds supplies authentic, true-to-type tuber sections ready for immediate planting, each approximately 3 to 5 cm in size. These sections must be kept dry before planting and set into warm soil once night temperatures consistently remain above 12 °C. Plant each fragment 3 to 10 cm deep, spaced roughly 10 to 30 cm apart in rows. Tsenza prefers full sun and thrives best in well-drained, fertile soils, though it is exceptionally drought-tolerant once established.

The plants grow vigorously throughout the summer, beginning to form tubers shortly after the summer solstice. Tubers mature around four to six months from planting, with leaf senescence indicating readiness for harvest. Harvesting can be staggered as needed, since Tsenza tubers store perfectly well in the soil throughout winter, provided conditions remain relatively dry.

Interestingly, this species has evolved specifically to withstand being eaten by porcupines, and thus easily regenerates from even tiny fragments of tubers left in the ground. Tubers harvested at full maturity can be stored indoors in dry sand or in shaded, ventilated baskets if preferred.

Tsenza is more than a vegetable; it represents the recovery and rediscovery of Africa's lost agricultural heritage, offering tremendous potential for sustainable farming, resilient food systems, and nutritional excellence in both modern and traditional contexts.

On Livingseeds Farm, we are going to be planting Tsenza directly into our pastures as a rooting/forage crop for our pastured pigs. Our thinking is that due to Tsenza's incredible yields and high vegetative reproductive potential this is going to be come a fantastic crop that will self perpetuate for years to come, giving us an additional food source for our animals.

Available in the following sizes.

5 Fingers

250 grams

500 grams

1 Kilo