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How to Grow Cocoyam Purple Dasheen

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Cocoyam Purple Dasheen

Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta

vegetable

Purple Dasheen is a tropical root vegetable with distinctive purple-tinged corms and purple stems, prized for its starchy tubers and edible leaves. This variety of taro (cocoyam) produces heart-shaped foliage with purple veining and can reach 4-6 feet tall. It thrives in warm, humid conditions and is a staple crop in Caribbean and tropical cuisines.

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Example Cocoyam Purple Dasheen timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Cocoyam Purple Dasheen

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Cocoyam Purple Dasheen

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cocoyam Purple Dasheen dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Partial shade to full sun; prefers 4-6 hours of direct sun daily, tolerates dappled shade
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; requires high humidity and regular watering during growing season. Increase watering during hot, dry periods. Reduce watering in winter dormancy.
📏
Spacing: 24 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 240-365 days (9-12 months for mature corms)
🌱
Planting depth: 1-2 inches for cormels or seed pieces; plant whole corms shallowly

Soil

Type: Rich, moist, organic-matter-filled loamy soil
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost Well-rotted manure Peat moss or coco coir Fish emulsion or balanced fertilizer

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 9b-12; can be grown in zones 8-9a as an annual or in containers moved indoors

9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b

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Growth Stages

1

Sprouting

2-4 weeks

Cormels or seed pieces begin to show shoots; small sprouts emerge from soil surface

Keep soil warm (70-80°F), consistently moist, and mulched. Provide gentle warmth via row covers if temperatures drop. Thin weak sprouts.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-5 months

Purple-stemmed leaves unfold rapidly; plant develops heart-shaped foliage with purple veining. Petioles (leaf stems) become distinctly purple.

Maintain consistent moisture and high humidity. Apply balanced fertilizer monthly. Mulch heavily to retain moisture. Weed regularly. Pinch back early flower buds to encourage corm development.

3

Corm Development

2-4 months

Primary corm enlarges underground; smaller cormels (side shoots) develop around base. Above-ground growth continues but slows.

Continue regular watering and feeding with potassium-rich fertilizer to support corm enlargement. Maintain mulch layer. Monitor for pests and diseases.

4

Maturation

2-3 months

Corms reach full size (6-12 inches diameter for primary corm); leaves may yellow slightly. Plant appears established and full.

Reduce watering slightly as maturity approaches. Stop fertilizing 4-6 weeks before harvest. Harvest when leaves begin to decline or after first light frost.

5

Dormancy/Harvest

Ongoing after harvest

Foliage dies back or significantly yellows; corms are ready for harvest and storage.

Dig carefully to avoid bruising corms. Cure in warm, dry location for 1-2 weeks. Store in cool (50-60°F), humid conditions. Can save cormels for next season's planting.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Banana Cassava Sweet potato Yam Pigeon pea Okra Squash Corn

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Walnut trees Allelopathic plants that inhibit growth

Common Pests

  • Handpick beetles; use insecticidal soap; apply neem oil; remove affected leaves promptly

  • Increase humidity; spray with water; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; ensure good air circulation

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; isolate affected plants; wipe leaves with alcohol-soaked cloth

  • Scrape off manually; apply horticultural oil; use insecticidal soap spray

  • and

    Handpick; set beer traps; apply diatomaceous earth; remove debris and mulch where slugs hide

Uses

🍳

Starch staple and root vegetable

Culinary

Corms are boiled, baked, fried, or mashed as a nutritious starchy vegetable. Commonly used in Caribbean, African, and Asian cuisines. Purple varieties add visual appeal to dishes and have a slightly nutty flavor. [source]

🍳

Edible leafy greens

Culinary

Young leaves (callaloo) are cooked as nutrient-dense greens, rich in vitamins A, C, and minerals. Must be boiled thoroughly to degrade calcium oxalate crystals before consumption. Popular in soups and stews. [source]

💊

Traditional digestive and nutritional support

Medicinal

Used in traditional medicine for digestive health and to support immune function. Rich in fiber, resistant starch, and beneficial polyphenols. Considered more digestible than many grains when properly prepared. [source]

🏠

Natural starch source

Household

Corms can be processed into taro flour or starch for baking and cooking applications. Offers gluten-free alternative to wheat flour with unique culinary properties. [source]

🦋

Ornamental foliage and pollinator support

Wildlife

Large purple-veined leaves create striking tropical garden displays. Small flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects. Adds architectural interest to landscaping. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest corms 9-12 months after planting when foliage dies back or after first frost (in mild climates). Dig carefully with a fork, starting 12 inches from the base, to avoid bruising. Leave cormels in soil to mature if desired for next season's planting. Can harvest young leaves throughout the growing season for cooking (leaves must be boiled to remove calcium oxalate crystals). Primary harvest typically occurs in late fall/early winter.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Purple Dasheen's distinctive purple coloring comes from anthocyanin pigments, the same antioxidants found in blueberries and red cabbage, making it both beautiful and nutritious.
  • 🌱 Cocoyam is one of the world's oldest cultivated crops, with evidence of taro cultivation dating back over 10,000 years in Southeast Asia, making it a historically significant staple food.
  • 🌱 A mature Purple Dasheen plant can produce 15-30 cormels (baby corms) around its primary corm in a single growing season, allowing gardeners to continuously propagate plants from a single initial planting.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade Pinch Back Row Cover
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