How to Grow Taro Pink Eddoe
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Taro Pink Eddoe
Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum
vegetableTaro Pink Eddoe is a tropical root vegetable with distinctive pink-tinged corms and stems, prized for its starchy tubers and ornamental foliage. This variety produces side cormels (small tubers) in addition to the main corm, making it highly productive. The large, arrow-shaped leaves with prominent pink veining add ornamental appeal to edible gardens.
When should you plant Taro Pink Eddoe in your zone?
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Example Taro Pink Eddoe timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Taro 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 Taro Pink Eddoe
Around Oct 14≈ 180 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Taro Pink Eddoe dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-12, can be grown in zones 8-9 as an annual with protection
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Get my Taro Pink Eddoe timeline →Growth Stages
Sprouting
2-4 weeksInitial shoot emergence from corm, small pale leaves unfurling
Maintain warm soil (75-85°F), consistent moisture, and patience; sprouting takes 2-4 weeks
Vegetative Growth
8-12 weeksRapid leaf and stem expansion with distinctive pink veining becoming prominent; plant grows 3-5 feet tall
Apply mulch to retain moisture and maintain consistent watering; fertilize every 4-6 weeks with balanced or high-nitrogen fertilizer
Corm Development
8-10 weeksUnderground tuber swelling occurs as plant matures; side cormels begin forming around main corm
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer and increase potassium to promote corm enlargement; maintain even moisture
Maturation
4-6 weeksFoliage may yellow or decline slightly; corms reach full size and starch content peaks
Continue watering until 2-3 weeks before harvest; cease fertilizing
Harvest
At-harvest stageFoliage begins senescence; corms are firm and fully sized; ready for lifting
Harvest when soil temperature drops or foliage naturally dies back; handle corms carefully to avoid bruising
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, remove infected leaves, apply copper-based fungicide, use resistant varieties
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Increase humidity through misting, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, use reflective mulches
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Inspect foliage regularly, remove by hand, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
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Rotate crops, use nematode-resistant varieties when available, solarize soil, apply beneficial nematodes
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Hand-pick beetles, use sticky traps, apply pyrethrin-based insecticides as needed
Uses
Staple Starch Crop
CulinaryTaro corms are boiled, baked, fried, or steamed as a nutritious carbohydrate staple in tropical cuisines worldwide. The corms have a mild, slightly nutty flavor and starchy texture similar to potatoes. [source]
Leaves for Cooking
CulinaryYoung taro leaves (similar to spinach) can be cooked as a nutritious green vegetable, though mature leaves contain calcium oxalates that must be removed by thorough cooking. Leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals. [source]
Traditional Medicine
MedicinalIn Ayurvedic and traditional Asian medicine, taro is used to support digestion and treat inflammation. The plant is rich in antioxidants and fiber that support gut health. [source]
Ornamental Garden Plant
HouseholdPink Eddoe's striking pink-veined foliage and dramatic arrow-shaped leaves serve as an attractive accent plant in tropical and subtropical gardens, adding bold texture and color. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeTaro produces spathe flowers that attract pollinators in tropical regions, providing nectar and pollen for beneficial insects and contributing to biodiversity in edible landscapes. [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 180-240 days after planting when foliage yellows or begins to die back, typically 7-10 months after planting. Carefully dig around the plant to avoid damaging the main corm and side cormels. A mature plant produces one large central corm plus 5-12 smaller cormels. Cure harvested corms in a warm (75-80°F), humid location for 7-10 days before storage. Store in cool (50-55°F), humid conditions for up to 6 months.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Taro is one of the oldest cultivated plants, with evidence of cultivation dating back over 10,000 years in Southeast Asia and possibly earlier in Africa.
- 🌱 The Pink Eddoe variety gets its name from the eddo or edo (side cormels), which are harvested and replanted to regenerate crops; a single planting can produce multiple generations of taro.
- 🌱 All parts of the taro plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, which cause a burning sensation if raw leaves are eaten; thorough cooking completely neutralizes this compound, making the plant safe and nutritious.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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