Growing Taro, also Dasheen, cocoyam

Colocasia esculenta : Araceae / the arum or lily family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                P P P P

(Best months for growing Taro in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • P = Plant tubers
  • Plant small pieces of tuber or suckers, 5-8cm deep. Best planted at soil temperatures between 20°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 80 cm apart
  • Harvest in approximately 28 weeks. When the leaves begin to die down. .
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best in separate bed

Your comments and tips

15 Jan 17, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi are we allowed to take raw taro to Australia?
11 Jan 17, Taro (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi I was wondering what would be the most suitable variety of taro to plant in nz in any of the sub-tropical regions? Cheers
13 Jan 17, Graeme (Australia - temperate climate)
Japanese taro does really well in port macquarie and it is a nice looking large leafed plant in slightly shadier situations. The round tubers are delicious and a nice size, smalle than other taro but delicious.
27 Oct 16, Paotonu Lutelu (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi.I reside in mackay at north queensland..I really would like to know where i might be able to get a hold of some pink taros or taro niue or ni taro samoa..for eating and growing..tired of eating these frozen and palagi taros..thnx heaps
26 Sep 16, Peter Tuialii (Australia - arid climate)
I live in Perth ,Western Australia and am looking to purchase edible Taro tubers for planting ...any ideas would be welcome
15 Jul 16, fangfang guo (Australia - tropical climate)
I got taro at home that's good because I want to plant taro thanks for the tip
04 Mar 16, Ian (Australia - tropical climate)
We're at south mission beach in the wet tropics and have a variety which has purplish fleck and a lovely nutty flavour. Any ideas which of the varieties it is. I was given the plants 20+ years ago and told it came originally from Noel Woods garden on Bedarra island.
22 Mar 16, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The taro with the purple fleck is referred to as the bun long variety and also known as Chinese Taro in the tropics. Its flesh is very soft and preferred by the Asian community, versus the heavy starched variety preferred by Pacific Islanders such Taro Niue (pink taro) and Alafua Sunrise. There are a few commercial growers of Chinese Taro in the Tully and Innisfail areas.
29 Feb 16, Eric (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi I am growing taro in Bargo NSW. I am afther some pink taro to plant any suggestions pls. Thanks in advance
22 Mar 16, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Eric, as you'd see from my reply to Manu below, there are pink taro (Talo Niue) growers up near Cairns. I suggest if you're up there between December and February, you'll find a few growers selling pink taro at the Rustys Markets on Sheridan St on Saturday and Sunday. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to give you some planting material. Hope that helps.
Showing 51 - 60 of 78 comments

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