Pit Pit, Highland Pitpit, Setaria Palmifolia plant

Pitpit is a very ornamental grass with bold, broad tropical-looking foliage. A great understory plant for your food forest, filling in gaps,  lining pathways or mass-planted. It seems to be growing at least as far south as Sydney and can probably handle mild frosts.

The swollen stalks are harvested and cooked plain, in stir-fries, curries or with coconut. Pitpit is not suitable for eating raw. I still have to learn how to cook this unusual vegetable, and I would be very happy for recipes! I will keep you updated about the use.

Pitpit likes well-drained but moisture-retentive soil. It prefers sun or half-shade, but I have seed pitpit growing in full shade. Plants can be grown in containers and brought inside during winter. Some people even use them as decorative indoor plants!