How to Grow Purple Eddoe
Wikimedia Commons
Purple Eddoe
Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta
vegetablePurple Eddoe is a tropical root vegetable with large, arrow-shaped leaves that display striking purple veining and stems. The plant produces small edible corms (similar to taro) that are purple-tinged and have a nutty, slightly sweet flavor. It's a staple crop in Caribbean, African, and Pacific Island cuisines.
When should you plant Purple Eddoe in your zone?
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Example Purple Eddoe timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Purple 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 Purple Eddoe
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple Eddoe dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-11; can be grown as an annual in cooler zones with season extension
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Get my Purple Eddoe timeline →Growth Stages
Sprouting
2-4 weeksCorm develops initial shoot; small leaves emerge from soil
Ensure consistent warmth (70-80°F) and moisture. Plant in spring in warm climates. Protect from cold.
Vegetative Growth
8-12 weeksRapid expansion of large arrow-shaped leaves with purple veining; stems become thick and purple-tinged
Maintain consistent moisture and apply compost mulch. Feed with balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) or nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Support tall plants if needed.
Corm Development
8-12 weeksUnderground corms begin to enlarge; plant reaches full canopy height (3-4 feet)
Reduce nitrogen, increase potassium to promote corm bulking. Continue regular watering and mulching. Monitor for pests.
Maturation
4-8 weeksLeaves may show yellowing; corms reach full size; plant growth slows
Reduce watering slightly as maturation approaches. Cease fertilization 4-6 weeks before harvest.
Harvest Ready
At harvest timeLeaves largely senescent; foliage dies back in cooler periods or as plant matures
Stop watering 1-2 weeks before harvest to firm up corms. Harvest when leaves begin to yellow or after 6-8 months.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove infected leaves, improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply copper fungicide if severe
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Control aphids (vectors), remove infected plants, use disease-free planting material
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity; remove heavily infested leaves
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; prune affected areas; isolate severely infested plants
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Spray with horticultural oil; remove by hand; apply insecticidal soap
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and
Hand-pick, use copper tape barriers, apply iron phosphate-based baits, encourage ground beetles
Uses
Boiled and mashed starch
CulinaryPurple Eddoe corms are boiled until tender and mashed into a creamy, nutty-flavored side dish, or used as a starch base in soups and stews. The purple color adds visual appeal to traditional Caribbean and Pacific dishes. [source]
Fried chips and crisps
CulinaryThinly sliced corms can be fried to make chips or crisps similar to potato chips, with a distinctive nutty flavor and purple hue. [source]
Digestive and nutritional support
MedicinalPurple Eddoe is rich in resistant starch, dietary fiber, and polyphenols, traditionally used in Pacific and Caribbean medicine to support digestion and provide sustained energy. [source]
Ornamental foliage plant
HouseholdThe striking purple-veined, arrow-shaped leaves make Purple Eddoe an attractive ornamental houseplant or tropical garden focal point, prized for its dramatic foliage. [source]
Pollinator and beneficial insect habitat
WildlifeThe large foliage provides shelter and foraging habitat for beneficial insects, bees, and other pollinators in tropical garden settings. [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 plants are 6-8 months old or when foliage begins to yellow. Gently dig around the base and lift the main corm and attached cormels (smaller corms). Handle carefully to avoid bruising. In tropical climates, may harvest year-round once established. Store corms in cool (50-60°F), dry conditions; they keep 2-4 weeks unrefrigerated or several months in proper storage.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Purple Eddoe is a staple food in many Caribbean islands, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Jamaica, where it has been cultivated for centuries.
- 🌱 All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, which must be neutralized through proper cooking (boiling or roasting). Never eat raw eddoe.
- 🌱 The plant can produce small flowering spathes (unusual for ornamental Colocasia), and in some cultures, even the immature flower buds are consumed as a delicacy.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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