5 PANCS to include in your diet and home decoration

The PANCS (Non-Conventional Edible Plants) are increasingly gaining space in backyards, balconies, and even in urban landscaping projects. In addition to being edible, many of these species stand out for the beauty of their leaves, flowers, or vigorous growth, serving both as food and as ornamental elements. Cultivating pancs at home is a practical way to expand the food repertoire, value traditional species, and also make the garden more diverse and sustainable.

Another positive point is that a large part of the pancs is resilient, easy to care for, and adapts well to small spaces, pots, or flower beds. This makes them ideal for those who want to start a home garden without great complications. Next, you will check five popular and accessible pancs, with cultivation tips and usage ideas that unite landscaping and food in daily life.

1. Ora-pro-nóbis

The ora-pro-nóbis is one of the most well-known pancs in Brazil, especially in Minas Gerais. It is a fast-growing climbing plant, with green, shiny leaves and high nutritional value, rich in proteins, fibers, and minerals. In landscaping, it can be used to cover fences, walls, and pergolas, creating a dense and decorative green mass.

In domestic cultivation, the ora-pro-nóbis is quite resilient and adapts well to both full sun and partial shade. It prefers well-drained soils and regular watering, without waterlogging. The leaves can be harvested throughout the year and used in sautéed dishes, soups, pies, and even green juices, combining aesthetics and functionality in the garden.

2. Taioba

The taioba is a traditional panc in many regions of the country and attracts attention for its large and showy leaves, which resemble a heart. In landscaping, it works very well as a highlight plant in flower beds, edges of gardens, or wetter areas, bringing a tropical and lush look to the space.

For home cultivation, taioba needs fertile soil, rich in organic matter and with good moisture retention. It likes full sun or partial shade and develops better in places protected from the wind. It is important to emphasize that only the leaves of the correct taioba are edible, and they should always be cooked before consumption, making them great for sautéed dishes, dumplings, and fillings.

3. Capuchinha

The capuchinha is one of the most versatile and ornamental pancs. Its colorful flowers, in shades of orange, yellow, and red, bring immediate joy to the garden, in addition to rounded leaves that cover the soil well. In landscaping, it can be used as ground cover, in hanging pots or planters.

4. Bertalha

The bertalha is a climbing panc with fleshy and shiny leaves, widely used in home gardens. In landscaping, it can be grown on trellises, grids or fences, creating an interesting and productive vertical effect. Its rapid growth helps fill empty spaces in the garden.

To cultivate bertalha at home, it is ideal to provide full sun or partial shade and well-fertilized soil. The plant appreciates frequent watering and a warmer climate. The leaves are used as substitutes for spinach, being excellent in sautéed dishes, broths, and simple preparations, in addition to contributing to a visually attractive garden.

5. Peixinho-da-horta

The peixinho-da-horta stands out for its velvety leaves, grayish in color, which bring texture and contrast to landscaping. It is often used as a border in gardens, flower beds, and pots, especially in projects that seek a more delicate and sensory look.

In domestic cultivation, this panc prefers full sun and well-drained soils, being quite resistant to drought once established. Its young leaves can be battered and fried, giving rise to the famous "peixinho-da-horta", a traditional dish in several regions of Brazil. In addition to its culinary use, the plant enhances landscaping with its unique appearance and low maintenance.

CASACOR Publisher is a creator agency of exclusive content, developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.