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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
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
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Sep 21, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Ring your agricultural department about growing it.
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Jul 21, (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Good deep soil if growing a root crop.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Mar 21, Phelelani (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Where can I buy taro seeds in south Africa? Can it be delivered
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Mar 21, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Taro is usually grown from cuttings. See here www.gardenate.com/plant/Taro?zone=21
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Feb 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try plant suppliers on the internet.
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Feb 21, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Try seed selling companies.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 11 - 20 of 78 comments
See comments for all plants

Otara market or any Fiji Indian grocery shops around papatoetoe plus you can simply drive around South Auckland you ll see abundance of Daro plants ask the owner if he wants to sell any. Don't plant or buy the black stem variety itchy when you eat it...best are the green stem ones...planting wise make sure soft fertilized soil suitable for any root crop. No big deal in planting simply use a spear like wood or iron to create a hole drop the Dalo tube in ...sun and water will do the rest...eat the leaves by cooking with coconut cream. If you want Dalo root to develop don't eat the leaves.

- Abdul FIJI Dalo Expert

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 GardenGrow 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 GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | 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. 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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.