Chufa

Cyperus esculentes
Botanical name
Cyperus esculentes
Plant category
Root and tuber vegetables

General

Chufa
FCG/Shutterstock.com

Chufa is considered a neophyte, meaning it can spread uncontrollably and displace native plants. So make sure it can't 'escape'. Keep it in check with a root barrier or simply grow it in a pot or raised bed.

Facts and figures

Light requirements
Sun / partial shade
Nutrient requirements
Light feeder
Difficulty level
Intermediate
Culture (according to Gertrud Franck)
A - tall or wide crops, almost year-round
Row spacing
30 cm
Plant spacing
30 cm
Growth height
30 - 60 cm
Sowing depth
3 cm
Germination temperature (minimum)
5 °C
Germination temperature (optimal)
20 - 25 °C
Germination type
Dark
Pre-growing period
30 days

Times

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Pre-grow
Transplant
Harvest
Harvest (next year)

Transplant to bed from Mid April to Mid June. Pre-grow about 30 days before planting out, approximately between Mid March and Mid May. Harvest begins around Early November and continues until Mid April next year.

Crop rotation

Since chufa isn't related to any other commonly grown plants here, there are no notable crop rotation issues. If you've had different experiences, we'd be happy to add your findings.

Harvest and processing


Jiri Hera/Shutterstock.com

As easy as it is to grow, harvesting is unfortunately a bit fiddly. You only harvest the tubers after the first frost. Then you need to wash them repeatedly until you've separated them from soil and small stones. Luckily, the little tubers float, so you can skim them off the surface of the water.