Ube, Purple Yam

Botanical Name: Dioscorea alata
Common Names: Purple Yam, Ube, Winged Yam, Greater Yam, Water Yam

Purple Yam is a fast-growing tropical climbing vine popular for its striking purple-fleshed tubers and heart-shaped leaves. The tuber is famous for its sweet, earthy flavor and vibrant violet color, making it a staple in classic desserts like ube halaya. It thrives in warm climates and can be grown in large containers or directly in the garden bed with a support structure for its vigorous vines.

Features:

Ideal prune height range: 2-3m (vines require trellising)

pH growing conditions: 5.5 to 6.5

Shade or full sun: Full sun to partial shade

Minimum pot year 5: 60L pot

Time to fruit age: 6-10 months from sprouted tuber

Purple Yam plants are quick to establish during warm weather, producing slender climbing stems that wrap around supports. Below ground, they form large starchy tubers high in antioxidants. They do best with regular watering during the main growing period and benefit from mounding soft, organic soil around the base to give tubers room to expand.

Interesting Notes:
The deep purple hue comes from high levels of anthocyanins, giving the tubers natural health benefits alongside their unique flavor. Always cook purple yam thoroughly before eating, as raw tubers contain natural protective compounds that need heat to neutralise.

A rewarding addition for backyard growers, permaculture gardens, and edible crop enthusiasts.

Limited stock. Pickup from Parkwood, WA. Delivery to Perth Metro only.

Keywords: Purple Yam, Ube, Dioscorea alata, tropical tuber Perth, backyard fruit tree, rare edible plant Perth