A tuber is a plant structure which saves energy for the parent plant; tubers can also be used for vegetative reproduction by most plant species which form tubers. This differentiates tubers from roots; roots are capable of taking up energy, but they cannot store it, and they also cannot be used for propagation. Many cultures eat tubers, because of their stored energy and dense, fleshy texture. The best-known example of an edible tuber may be the potato, a South American plant which has been cultivated for food for thousands of years.

There are two forms of tubers: stem tubers, and root tubers. Stem tubers form from underground stems known as rhizomes; potatoes and begonias are both stem tubers. Stem tubers are closely related to corms like cassava, which form when the stems of their parent plants swell. Root tubers are formed when sections of the root swell and bud; cassavas and dahlias are two familiar examples.

For the parent plant, storing nutrients in a tuber is quite sensible. By keeping a reserve of energy underground, a plant can ensure that this energy will be accessible in the future, and if the parent plant dies off, the tuber will helpfully step in and propagate some new plants. Many people have noticed the budding “eyes” on potatoes which have been stored a little too long; each eye would develop into its very own potato plant, if given a chance.

Tubers tend to be very starchy, and they are also typically rich in vitamins and minerals. This makes them an excellent addition to the human diet, which may explain why tubers have become so important in many regional cuisines. Tubers can also be prepared in a wide variety of ways, and flavored with an array of spices, making them extremely flexible additions to the kitchen.

Growing tubers is generally very easy, as they are specifically designed for propagation. In fact, this can sometimes be a problem; if a single potato is left behind in a garden bed, for example, it will cheerfully produce potatoes the next year, whether or not they are wanted by the gardener. Tubers are also famous for propagating themselves in compost piles.

As a general rule, tubers will grow in any sort of loose, reasonably nutritious soil, and they can grow in a variety of climates. If you plan to cultivate a specific tuber, you should find out which climates it grows in, and you may want to read about the varieties available; potatoes, for example, come in a plethora of styles, and you want to make sure that you grow the right one for your needs.