Overview

Bring the taste of Southeast Asia to your garden with a katuk live plant (Sauropus androgynus). This fast-growing tropical perennial, often called the Sweet Leaf Bush, is cherished for its tender, mildly sweet edible leaves. Our starter plants are typically 6-12 inches tall, ready to establish quickly in your home garden or containers. Katuk is an excellent choice for those seeking a sustainable and productive source of fresh, nutritious leafy greens, offering repeated harvests throughout the growing season.

The sauropus androgynus plant is a versatile addition to any edible landscape, particularly in warm climates. Its ease of care and high yield make it a favorite among gardeners, from beginners to experienced enthusiasts. You’ll enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own greens, knowing they are fresh, organic, and packed with flavor, perfect for a variety of culinary applications.

Key Benefits

Growing a katuk live plant offers numerous advantages for the home gardener and culinary enthusiast alike. This resilient perennial provides a continuous supply of fresh, nutritious greens with minimal effort.

• Continuous Harvest: Katuk is a highly productive plant that allows for repeat harvesting of its tender leaves, ensuring a constant supply for your kitchen. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and more leaves.
• Nutrient-Rich Edible Leaves: The leaves of the Sweet Leaf Bush are not only delicious but also packed with vitamins and minerals, making them a healthy addition to any diet. They are commonly used in stir-fries, soups, and salads.
• Easy to Grow: This perennial is known for its vigorous growth and adaptability, thriving with basic care. It’s an ideal plant for both novice and experienced gardeners looking for a rewarding edible crop.
• Versatile Culinary Use: The mildly sweet flavor of sauropus androgynus plant leaves complements a wide range of dishes, particularly in Southeast Asian cuisine. Experiment with them in various recipes to discover new flavors.
• Container Friendly: For those in cooler climates or with limited garden space, Katuk adapts well to container growing, allowing you to move it indoors during colder months.
• Sustainable Gardening: As an edible perennial green, Katuk contributes to sustainable gardening practices by providing food year after year without the need for annual replanting.
• Tropical Aesthetic: Beyond its utility, the lush foliage of the Katuk plant adds a beautiful tropical touch to your garden or patio.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your katuk live plant is straightforward, especially when provided with the right conditions. This tropical perennial thrives in warm, humid environments. It prefers partial shade to bright indirect light; direct, intense sun, especially in hot climates, can scorch its leaves. Aim for a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade, or filtered light throughout the day. If growing indoors, place it near a bright window but away from harsh, direct rays.

The sauropus androgynus plant requires consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil. Water regularly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot. A rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content is ideal. For optimal growth, especially for continuous leaf production, fertilize with an organic or balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. Katuk is best suited for USDA zones 9–11 outdoors, but can be successfully grown in containers and moved indoors in cooler regions, making it a versatile edible perennial green.

Regular harvesting and pruning are key to maintaining a healthy and productive sweet leaf bush. Begin harvesting young leaves once the plant is established. Pinching back the growing tips encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming leggy. While generally robust, keep an eye out for common garden pests and address them promptly with organic solutions if needed. Understanding how to grow katuk will ensure a bountiful harvest for years to come.

Size & Details

This offering is for a katuk live plant starter, typically measuring 6–12 inches in height upon arrival. These young plants are ready to be transplanted into your garden or a larger container and will grow rapidly with proper care. The species is Sauropus androgynus, known as Katuk or Sweet Leaf Bush. It is native to Southeast Asia and is particularly well-suited for home gardens, containers, and tropical to subtropical climates. With good conditions, it can reach mature heights of 3-6 feet, becoming a robust source of edible perennial green leaves.

Our starter plants are shipped carefully to ensure their health. While some minor leaf drop or yellowing can occur during transit, the plant will recover quickly with proper hydration and acclimatization to its new environment. It’s recommended to plant as soon as possible after arrival. You’ll be delighted by the fast growth and productivity of this unique and beneficial plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this katuk live plant get? A: Our starter plants are 6-12 inches tall. With proper care, a mature sauropus androgynus plant can reach 3-6 feet in height, providing a substantial yield of edible leaves.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Katuk thrives outdoors in USDA zones 9-11. In cooler regions, it can be grown in containers and brought indoors during colder months, making it a versatile plant for various climates.
• Q: How much sunlight does the sweet leaf bush need? A: This plant prefers partial shade to bright indirect light. Protect it from intense, direct afternoon sun, which can scorch its tender leaves.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for, especially for beginners? A: Yes, Katuk is considered an easy-to-grow perennial. It’s quite forgiving and productive with consistent watering and adequate light, making growing katuk a rewarding experience for new gardeners.
• Q: What condition will the plant arrive in? A: We ship healthy starter plants. Some yellowing or leaf drop during transit is normal due to environmental changes, but the plant will quickly recover once planted and cared for.
• Q: Can I use katuk leaves in cooking? A: Absolutely! Katuk leaves are widely used in Southeast Asian cuisine. They have a mild, sweet flavor and are excellent stir-fried, added to soups, or eaten raw in salads. It’s a fantastic edible perennial green.
• Q: When is the best time to plant katuk? A: In warm climates, Katuk can be planted year-round. In cooler areas, it’s best to plant in spring to summer, allowing it to establish before colder weather.
• Q: What type of soil does the sauropus androgynus plant prefer? A: It thrives in rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root issues.
• Q: How often should I water my katuk plant? A: Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
• Q: Will this plant survive winter in my zone if I’m outside USDA 9-11? A: If you are outside USDA zones 9-11, you will need to grow your katuk live plant in a container and bring it indoors to a warm, bright location before the first frost.