How to Grow Pink Eddoe
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Pink Eddoe
Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum
vegetablePink Eddoe is a tropical root vegetable cultivar of taro featuring distinctive pink or reddish corms (underground tubers) with white flesh. It is prized in Caribbean, African, and Asian cuisines for its starchy, nutty-flavored corms and edible leaves. The plant grows as an herbaceous perennial with large, arrow-shaped leaves and thrives in warm, humid climates.
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Example Pink Eddoe timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pink Eddoe
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Pink Eddoe
Around Oct 14≈ 180 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pink Eddoe dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 10-12; can be grown in containers in cooler zones and brought indoors in winter
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Dormancy/Planting
1-2 weeksCorms are selected and prepared for planting; they are firm, disease-free, and ready to break dormancy
Choose healthy corms weighing 2-4 ounces; soak in warm water for 30 minutes before planting to encourage sprouting; ensure soil temperature reaches 65°F (18°C) minimum
Sprouting & Establishment
2-4 weeksSmall shoots emerge from the corm; the first leaves unfold and the plant establishes its root system
Keep soil warm and moist; maintain humidity by mulching; protect from cold winds; thin to one plant per hole if multiple shoots appear
Vegetative Growth
8-16 weeksLarge arrow-shaped leaves develop and expand; the plant builds a strong canopy; corm continues to enlarge underground
Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture; apply compost or balanced fertilizer monthly; remove any dead or diseased leaves; provide support if crowded
Corm Development & Maturation
6-12 weeksThe corm reaches marketable size (4-6 inches diameter); secondary cormels may develop around the mother corm; leaves remain healthy and productive
Continue regular watering and feeding; apply mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture; monitor for pests and diseases; reduce watering slightly as maturity approaches
Harvest Ready
Ongoing harvest windowThe corm is fully developed with characteristic pink exterior and white interior; leaves may begin to yellow in drier conditions
Stop fertilizing 2-3 weeks before harvest; reduce watering gradually to ease harvest; harvest when soil is moist but not waterlogged for easier extraction
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Plant resistant varieties; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove affected leaves; apply copper fungicide if severe
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Ensure excellent drainage; avoid waterlogging; sanitize tools; remove and destroy affected plants; improve soil aeration
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Hand-pick caterpillars; encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps; apply neem oil or spinosad if infestation is severe
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Increase humidity with regular misting; spray with water to dislodge; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil if needed
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Inspect leaves regularly; remove with cotton swab dipped in alcohol; spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil
Uses
Staple starch crop
CulinaryPink Eddoe corms are boiled, fried, roasted, or mashed as a nutritious starch staple in Caribbean, West African, and Pacific cuisines. The corms provide essential carbohydrates, fiber, and micronutrients and are used in dishes like callaloo and corm chips. [source]
Leafy greens
CulinaryThe large arrow-shaped leaves (cooked thoroughly to remove calcium oxalate crystals) are eaten as nutritious greens similar to spinach, rich in vitamins A, C, and minerals. [source]
Traditional health remedy
MedicinalIn Ayurvedic and traditional medicine systems, taro is valued for its antioxidant properties and potential to support digestive health and provide resistant starch that may benefit gut bacteria. [source]
Starch extraction
HouseholdTaro corms are processed to extract pure starch for use in cooking, baking, and traditional craft applications; the starch is easily digestible and suitable for gluten-free diets. [source]
Ornamental foliage plant
WildlifeThe dramatic pink-stemmed leaves and large foliage make Pink Eddoe an attractive ornamental specimen for tropical gardens and water garden margins, while providing habitat and food for 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 when corms reach 4-6 inches in diameter, typically 6-8 months after planting; carefully dig around the plant with a spade or garden fork; gently extract the main corm and secondary cormels; handle carefully to avoid bruising; cure in a warm, dry place for 1-2 weeks before storage; store in cool (50-60°F), dry conditions with good ventilation; can remain in ground in tropical climates and harvested as needed
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Pink Eddoe corms can develop a vibrant pink or reddish skin color due to anthocyanin pigments, which are the same antioxidants found in blueberries and red wine.
- 🌱 Taro is one of the oldest cultivated crops, with archaeological evidence suggesting it was domesticated over 10,000 years ago in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.
- 🌱 The plant is highly efficient at water purification and has been studied for use in constructed wetlands to filter wastewater and remove excess nutrients.
Gardening Terms
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