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

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • Plant small pieces of tuber or suckers, 5-8cm deep. Best planted at soil temperatures between 68°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 31 inches 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

Be the first to post a question or tip from the USA

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Taro

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.