How to Grow Fara
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Fara
Oxalis tuberosa
vegetableFara is an Andean tuber crop closely related to oca, producing small, elongated tubers with crispy, starchy flesh and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Native to high-altitude regions of South America, it's a traditional food plant valued for its nutritional content and adaptation to cool climates. The plant produces delicate clover-like foliage and small yellow or orange flowers.
When should you plant Fara in your zone?
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Example Fara timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Fara
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Fara
Around Oct 14≈ 180 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Fara dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8-10; prefers cool, high-altitude conditions and can tolerate light frost
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Get my Fara timeline →Growth Stages
Sprouting
2-3 weeksTuber pieces send up first shoots and develop initial root systems
Plant in spring in cool climates or fall in subtropical zones. Keep soil moist and maintain cool temperatures (50-65°F ideal). Ensure good drainage.
Vegetative Growth
8-12 weeksPlant develops clover-like leaflets on trailing or mounding stems; rapid foliage expansion
Provide consistent moisture and partial shade in hot climates. Apply mulch to cool soil. Support trailing stems if desired. Monitor for pests.
Flowering
4-6 weeksDelicate yellow, orange, or pink flowers appear among the foliage
Continue regular watering and feeding with balanced fertilizer. Flowers indicate tuber development has begun. Maintain cool conditions.
Tuber Development
8-10 weeksUnderground tubers enlarge and accumulate starch as foliage begins to senesce; tubers become firm and sweet after cool weather exposure
Reduce nitrogen fertilization; maintain moderate moisture. Cooler temperatures enhance sweetness and flavor. Avoid overhead watering.
Harvest
At maturity, typically 7-8 months after plantingFoliage yellows and dies back; tubers have reached full size and developed characteristic flavor
Wait until foliage naturally dies back or after first light frost. Carefully dig to avoid damaging tubers. Allow tubers to cure in cool conditions.
Common Pests
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and
Hand-pick, use copper tape barriers, encourage ground beetles, reduce moisture in mulch, apply neem oil if needed
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Spray with water, introduce ladybugs, apply insecticidal soap, use neem oil
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Increase humidity, spray with water, apply neem oil or sulfur dust
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and
Ensure excellent drainage, avoid overwatering, improve air circulation, remove infected plants, apply fungicide if necessary
Uses
Versatile Tuber Vegetable
CulinaryFara tubers can be boiled, steamed, roasted, or fried as a starchy side dish. They have a crispy texture when cooked and a mild, slightly sweet flavor similar to potatoes, making them excellent in soups, stews, and traditional Andean dishes. [source]
Nutritional Support
MedicinalRich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, and minerals including potassium and magnesium. Traditional Andean medicine uses fara as a nourishing food for strength and stamina, particularly valuable in high-altitude communities. [source]
Long-term Storage Crop
HouseholdFara tubers store exceptionally well in cool, humid conditions for several months, making them a reliable food security crop for home gardeners in cool climates without requiring refrigeration. [source]
Ornamental and Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe delicate flowers attract bees and other pollinators while the trailing foliage creates attractive ground cover in containers or garden beds, combining beauty with productivity. [source]
Traditional Andean Heritage
CulinaryFara is part of the traditional crop diversity of the Andes and helps preserve indigenous agricultural knowledge and food culture. Growing it supports agricultural biodiversity and cultural food traditions. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest after foliage dies back (typically 6-8 months after planting) or after first frost when tubers are fully mature and sweet. Carefully dig around the plant and lift to extract tubers without damage. For extended storage, allow tubers to cure in a cool, dark, well-ventilated location for 2-3 weeks. Store at 40-50°F in humid conditions; properly stored tubers can keep 4-6 months.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Fara has been cultivated in the Andes Mountains for thousands of years alongside oca and mashua, representing an ancient crop domestication parallel to potato cultivation.
- 🌱 Unlike potatoes, fara's tubers become sweeter after exposure to cool temperatures or light frost, a process called cryoconcentration that concentrates sugars naturally.
- 🌱 Fara is highly nutritious and provided sustenance to high-altitude mountain communities in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia where potatoes alone might not thrive at extreme elevations.
Gardening Terms
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