How to Grow Eddoe Red
Wikimedia Commons
Eddoe Red
Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum
vegetableEddoe Red is a tropical root vegetable prized for its small, burgundy-skinned corms and edible leaves. It belongs to the taro family and produces nutrient-dense tubers with a nutty flavor. The plant also features attractive purple-tinged foliage, making it ornamental as well as productive.
Looking for a specific variety?
When should you plant Eddoe Red in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Eddoe Red timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Eddoe Red
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Eddoe Red
Around Sep 14≈ 150 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Eddoe Red dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9-12; can be grown as an annual in zones 8 and cooler with season extension techniques
Sign up free to see if Eddoe Red grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Eddoe Red timeline →Growth Stages
Dormancy to Sprouting
2-3 weeksCorms stored in cool, dry conditions begin to show sprouts after 2-4 weeks of warm soil exposure
Plant in warm soil (minimum 65°F, ideal 75-80°F). Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide consistent warmth to encourage sprouting
Vegetative Growth
6-8 weeksLeaves emerge and expand rapidly; plant develops 3-5 main stems with large sagittate (arrow-shaped) leaves; root system establishes
Maintain consistent moisture and humidity. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base. Begin light feeding with balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks
Canopy Development
8-10 weeksPlant reaches full height (3-4 feet) with dense foliage; secondary cormels begin forming around the mother corm underground
Continue regular watering and feeding. Ensure adequate spacing for air circulation. Monitor for pests and diseases in humid conditions
Corm Bulking
6-8 weeksUnderground corms and cormels enlarge significantly; foliage remains green and vigorous; plant redirects energy toward tuber development
Reduce nitrogen slightly and increase potassium to support tuber maturation. Maintain consistent moisture. Avoid physical disturbance to soil
Harvest Readiness
Ready to harvestCorms reach mature size (fist-sized main corm, smaller cormels); leaves may begin to yellow slightly at base; corms are firm and well-developed
Stop fertilizing 2-3 weeks before harvest. Reduce watering gradually. Ensure soil is not waterlogged before digging to prevent rot
Common Pests
-
Increase humidity and misting. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days. Remove heavily infested leaves
-
Handpick beetles and remove eggs from leaf undersides. Use spinosad spray in severe infestations. Encourage natural predators
-
and
(DsMV)
Plant virus-free corms; control aphids with neem oil or insecticidal soap; remove infected plants immediately to prevent spread
-
Ensure excellent drainage. Avoid overwatering. Use disease-free corms. Apply copper fungicide preventively in humid conditions
-
and
Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray. Handpick larger caterpillars. Neem oil is effective on young stages
Uses
Nutritious root vegetable staple
CulinaryEddoe corms are cooked by boiling, steaming, frying, or roasting and have a creamy texture with a mild, nutty flavor. They are a staple carbohydrate in Caribbean, African, and Pacific cuisines and provide excellent resistant starch and fiber. [source]
Edible leaves for greens
CulinaryYoung leaves and petioles (stems) are cooked as leafy greens similar to spinach or in soups and stews. The leaves contain oxalates, which are removed by cooking, and provide vitamins A, C, and minerals. [source]
Traditional digestive and anti-inflammatory remedy
MedicinalIn traditional medicine, taro corms and leaves are used to support digestion and reduce inflammation. The resistant starch and fiber content supports healthy gut flora and may improve blood sugar regulation. [source]
Starch extraction for multiple uses
HouseholdTaro corms are a traditional source of high-quality starch used in cooking, food thickening, and historically in textiles and adhesives. The starch is easily digestible and suitable for people with certain dietary restrictions. [source]
Pollinator and beneficial insect support
WildlifeEddoe's large foliage provides shelter for beneficial insects, and the flowers (if allowed to bloom) attract pollinators. The dense growth supports biodiversity in tropical and subtropical gardens. [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 when corms are 4-6 inches in diameter (approximately 5-6 months from planting). Dig carefully to avoid bruising. Leaves can be harvested throughout the season but are best harvested after corms mature. Cut or dig plants at soil level. Allow harvested corms to cure in a warm, dry location for 1-2 weeks before storage. Store in cool (55-60°F), dry conditions with good air circulation; corms can keep 2-3 months
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Eddoe Red has been cultivated for over 9,000 years and is one of the oldest cultivated tropical crops, originating in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.
- 🌱 The plant's name 'eddoe' (also spelled 'eddo') comes from a Ghanaian Twi language term, reflecting the crop's importance to African diaspora cuisines and cultures.
- 🌱 Eddoe corms contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause a burning sensation when raw; cooking completely neutralizes this irritant, making the cooked vegetable safe and pleasant to eat.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Eddoe Red planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Eddoe Red seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Eddoe Red timeline →