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 New Zealand - cool/mountain 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

Your comments and tips

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23 Sep 21, Daniel Faleolo (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Looking at planting maori taro to introduce to our whanau and hapu for food. Looking at a medium scale operation. Where can I source taro? What recipes are available for taro? What nutrition value of taro grown in NZ? Looking at 200> operation
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28 Sep 21, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Ring your agricultural department about growing it.
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12 Jul 21, Elsa Keyte (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi. Do Taro prefer a firm base or can a well worked garden be ok? Many thanks Elsa & Graham Keyte
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21 Jul 21, (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Good deep soil if growing a root crop.
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08 Mar 21, Phelelani (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Where can I buy taro seeds in south Africa? Can it be delivered
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08 Mar 21, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Taro is usually grown from cuttings. See here www.gardenate.com/plant/Taro?zone=21
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23 Feb 21, Nobahle Masondo (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I just want to know where can I buy the taro seeds in Pretoria?
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25 Feb 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try plant suppliers on the internet.
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01 Feb 21, Donna (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi there can you tell me please where I can buy edible taro plants ? I live in feilding
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02 Feb 21, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Try seed selling companies.
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Showing 11 - 20 of 78 comments
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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?

- Bob Edwards

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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. GardenGrow 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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