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How to Grow Eddoes, Trinidad

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Eddoes, Trinidad

Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta

vegetable

Trinidad Eddoes are a cultivar of taro featuring small, elongated corms and smaller cormels (daughter tubers) that grow around the mother plant. They are a starchy root vegetable staple in Caribbean and tropical cuisines, valued for their nutty flavor and creamy texture when cooked. The plant produces large, arrow-shaped leaves and thrives in warm, moist conditions.

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Example Eddoes, Trinidad timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Eddoes, Trinidad

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Eddoes, Trinidad

    Around Oct 14

    ≈ 180 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Eddoes, Trinidad dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Partial shade to full sun; prefers 4-6 hours of direct sun with afternoon shade in hot climates
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist (like a swamp) but not waterlogged; water deeply 2-3 times weekly during growing season. Eddoes are very moisture-loving and tolerate wet feet better than most vegetables.
📏
Spacing: 24 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 180-240 days
🌱
Planting depth: Plant corms 2-3 inches deep with the pointed end up; space plants 24 inches apart

Soil

Type: Rich, consistently moist loamy or clay-loam soil with high organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure (2-3 inches worked in) Peat moss or coco coir to retain moisture Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)

Growing Zones

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Thrives in USDA zones 10-11; can be grown annually in zones 9 and below with season extension

10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Planting & Sprouting

2-4 weeks

Corms are planted and begin to sprout; small shoots emerge from the soil

Ensure soil is warm (70°F+) and consistently moist. Mulch around plantings to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

2

Vegetative Growth

8-12 weeks

Leaves expand rapidly; the plant develops the characteristic large, arrow-shaped foliage; underground cormels begin forming around the mother corm

Maintain consistent moisture and apply balanced fertilizer every 4 weeks. Remove any old leaf petioles to encourage new growth. Mulch heavily to suppress weeds.

3

Corm Development

8-16 weeks

The mother corm enlarges; cormels (small daughter tubers) multiply around the base. Leaf production continues vigorously.

Keep soil very moist. Side-dress with compost or apply liquid fertilizer high in potassium to promote corm sizing. Ensure adequate spacing for air circulation.

4

Maturation

4-8 weeks

Corms and cormels reach full size; leaves may yellow slightly as plant reaches maturity. Growth slows.

Reduce watering slightly once corms feel firm when gently squeezed. Stop fertilizing 4 weeks before harvest. Watch for any pest or disease issues.

5

Harvest

Timing varies; typically 6-8 months after planting

Plants are ready when mother corms are 2-4 inches in diameter and cormels are 1-2 inches; foliage begins to decline

Carefully dig around the base of the plant and lift the entire corm/cormel cluster. Handle gently to avoid bruising. Cure harvested corms in a warm, humid location for 7-10 days.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Marigold Sweet potato Plantain Okra Squash Cilantro

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Walnut trees (allelopathic)

Common Pests

  • Remove infected leaves immediately; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide if severe; choose resistant varieties

  • Remove infected foliage; apply neem oil or sulfur-based fungicide; increase spacing and air flow; water at soil level only

  • Spray with strong water stream to dislodge; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; maintain higher humidity levels

  • Remove by hand for small infestations; spray with insecticidal soap; apply neem oil every 7-10 days

  • and

    Hand-pick, especially at night; create beer traps; apply food-grade diatomaceous earth around plants; use copper tape barriers

  • Yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil; introduce parasitic wasps; spray insecticidal soap

Uses

🍳

Boiling, frying, and stews

Culinary

Trinidad Eddoes are a staple in Caribbean cooking, boiled as a side dish, fried into chips, or added to hearty stews and soups. Their creamy texture and mild, nutty flavor make them versatile for both sweet and savory preparations. [source]

🍳

Nutritious carbohydrate source

Culinary

Eddoes are rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, and resistant starch, providing sustained energy and supporting digestive health. They are naturally gluten-free and suitable for many dietary restrictions. [source]

💊

Traditional digestive and immune support

Medicinal

In traditional Caribbean and tropical medicine, taro has been used to support digestion, boost immunity, and provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Some cultures use it to address wounds and skin conditions. [source]

🏠

Animal feed and agriculture

Household

Taro leaves and corms are used as nutritious livestock feed in tropical regions, and the plant is valued for sustainable small-farm agriculture in resource-limited settings. [source]

🦋

Ornamental foliage and habitat

Wildlife

The large, attractive arrow-shaped leaves make Trinidad Eddoes visually striking in tropical gardens and water gardens, while the plant provides cover and food for beneficial insects and pollinators. [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 Trinidad Eddoes when the mother corm is 2-4 inches in diameter and cormels are 1-2 inches (typically 6-8 months after planting). Carefully dig down and around the plant to avoid damaging the corms; lift the entire cluster. Cure harvested corms by placing them in a warm (70-80°F), humid location for 7-10 days to toughen the skin. Store in cool (50-60°F), dry conditions with good air circulation; they can keep 2-3 months. In frost-free climates, you can leave corms in the ground and harvest as needed throughout the season.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Trinidad Eddoes are prized in Caribbean cuisine as 'callaloo' when young leaves are harvested, and the corms are a key ingredient in traditional dishes like 'dasheen' or 'calaloo' stews.
  • 🌱 Unlike some taro varieties, Trinidad Eddoes produce numerous small cormels around the mother corm, making them highly productive and allowing farmers to save planting material year to year.
  • 🌱 Taro is one of the oldest cultivated plants, with evidence of cultivation dating back over 9,000 years in Southeast Asia, and has been a staple crop across the Pacific, Africa, and the Caribbean for millennia.

Gardening Terms

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

Compost Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade
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