![](https://lunahill.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/chaya-lhfg-1.jpg)
Pronounced (Chai-yah)
Cnidoscolus chayamansa
This is an excellent plant for the edible tropical-theme landscape. In the Pensacola coastal sand hills climate zone it grows well. It would be equally expected to perform well in a similar climate zone. It can freeze down as we have a couple freezes a year; however, if the plant is established (1 year in the ground), it should regrow 6-8 feet by fall. My personal approach to the forest garden is “No Heroic Measures” to keep a plant in the garden and this plant meets that criteria.
As a STEP on a transition path for individual and family food security, this plant is a direct replacement for the traditional Collard Greens recipes of the South. Just take your favorite greens recipe and use chaya. And guess what? It is a localized harvest – May until freeze or all winter if no freeze – where collards are a localized harvest October through April. So between collards and chaya your family recipe can be used year-round.
![](https://lunahill.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/chaya-harvest-with-andrea.jpg)
![](https://lunahill.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/chaya-recipe-chaya_and_artichoke_dip_with_pita-_chip.jpg)
![](https://lunahill.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/chaya-recipe-samosa-filling-wit-chaya.jpg)
![](https://lunahill.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/chaya-recipe-samosas.jpg)
![](https://lunahill.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/chaya-recipe-tabboule_-in_chaya_leaf.jpg)
![](https://lunahill.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/chaya-recipe-tabbouleh-stuffed-chaya-leaf-with-tahini.jpg)
![](https://lunahill.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/chaya-recipe-chaya_and_artichoke_dip_with_pita-_chip.jpg)
![](https://lunahill.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/chaya-recipe-samosa-filling-wit-chaya.jpg)
![](https://lunahill.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/chaya-recipe-samosas.jpg)
![](https://lunahill.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/chaya-recipe-tabboule_-in_chaya_leaf.jpg)
![](https://lunahill.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/chaya-recipe-tabbouleh-stuffed-chaya-leaf-with-tahini.jpg)