What are tuberous plants?
Tuberous plants, aka tubers, have swollen stems or roots that store nutrients for future use to facilitate growth. These are also known as storage roots as they keep food inside and help the plant survive during periods of under- or non-nutrient availability.
The word ‘tuber’ refers to the swollen part of the plant’s root that stores food. The growth habits of these plants help them survive in climates with low-nutrient availability. This is why they are often used in indoor gardening as houseplants.
Non-Tuberous plants, on the other hand, only have fibrous roots which means they do NOT store nutrients.
Examples of common tuberous plants (often referred to as tubers):
- Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Dahlias
- Peonies
- Sweet Potatoes
- Taro
How do tubers differ from bulbs? Are tubers different?
Gardeningknowhow.com states “Unlike corms or bulbs, tubers do not have a basal plant from which new shoots or roots grow. Tubers produce nodes, buds, or “eyes” all over their surface, which grow up through the soil surface as shoots and stems, or down into the soil as roots. Due to their high nutrient content, many tubers, such as potatoes, are grown as food.”