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
  • Taro plant (commons.wikimedia.org - Kahuroa - Public Domain)
  • Taro Leaf (Japanese Taro)
  • Taro root

NB: Make sure that you plant EDIBLE Taro, some varieties that are grown as ornamental plants are not edible and can have unpleasant results if eaten. There is some useful information here http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_coes.pdf Taro grows to about 1 m (3 ft) and has long, green, heart-shaped leaves on long stalks. Taro grows well in warm/hot, humid areas - it needs a long growing time, frost free and lots of water. Keep well watered. Dryness will stop growth. Grow in full sun.

Taro is damaged by cold or frosty weather. Lift the tubers and store in a cool dry place.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Taro

Taro can be cooked like potatoes, boiled, roasted, fried or steamed. It is not eaten raw.

Your comments and tips

01 May 22, Bob Edwards (USA - Zone 6b climate)
What suggestions do you have for attempting to grown Taro in NJ zone 6b! Our outside planting range is from May 5 - October 9. Would it help to plant the Taro in containers like cold box or an equal? Is it possible to raise Taro under lights inside?
02 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It has no recommended planting times in the planting calendar. So you probably have no or very limited chance of growing it in your climate zone. It needs 6.5mths to grow, warm/hot humid weather and plenty of rain/water.
07 Sep 20, Neil prakash (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Looking for island edible taro plants for my garden
09 Sep 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up seed selling websites.
14 May 20, László Kántor (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Are any of the giant arrowroot/taro varieties -- like the Dasheen grown in wet soil in Kenya -- available to buy in Australia?
15 May 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Read the comment below I posted yesterday.
13 May 20, László Kántor (Australia - tropical climate)
Is the "Burundi" variety of taro tuber (or corm) available in Australia?
14 May 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to daleysfruit .c**.au or greenharvest.c**.au on the internet. Not that variety but what is the common grown in Australia. Green Harvest has a great article on how to grow it etc.
22 Sep 19, Silala Vea (Australia - tropical climate)
Can I plant taro here in Austral Sydney?
23 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Plant Oct-Nov it says here.
Showing 1 - 10 of 42 comments

There are many varieties available like bun long, sweet white, tania and Samoan pink. Try the variety you are buying before you plant it to make sure you like that particular taro as they have different flavor. And definitely make sure you are getting a named variety!! Some nurseries don't even know what they are selling.

- el arish

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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