How to Grow Taro Violeta

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Taro Violeta

Colocasia esculenta 'Violeta'

vegetable

Taro Violeta is a tropical root vegetable cultivar characterized by deep purple or violet-hued corms and stems. It is prized for its ornamental foliage with purple-tinged petioles and edible starchy tubers that develop underground. This variety is commonly used in Caribbean, Pacific Island, and Southeast Asian cuisines.

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Example Taro Violeta timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Taro Violeta
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Taro Violeta
Around Oct 14

≈ 180 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Partial shade to full sun; 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily preferred, with afternoon shade in hot climates

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Water: Consistently moist soil; water regularly to maintain moisture without waterlogging. Taro requires high humidity and abundant water during the growing season. Reduce watering in winter dormancy.

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Spacing: 18 inches

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Days to maturity: 180-240 days

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Planting depth: 2-3 inches for cormels; plant whole corms with top bud visible at soil surface

Soil

Type: Rich, moisture-retentive loamy soil with high organic matter content

pH: 5.5-6.5

Amendments:

Compost Well-rotted manure Peat moss or coconut coir Aged leaf mold

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in USDA zones 9b-11; can be grown as an annual in zones 7-9 with protection

9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

Dormancy & Sprouting

3-4 weeks

Corms are planted and begin to sprout. Underground root development initiates while aboveground growth is minimal.

Keep soil warm (70-85°F) and consistently moist. Protect from cold temperatures. Ensure good drainage to prevent rot.

Vegetative & Leaf Development

6-8 weeks

Stems with heart-shaped leaves emerge and expand. Purple coloration becomes evident in petioles and leaf undersides. Plant grows rapidly with lush foliage.

Maintain consistent moisture and humidity. Fertilize bi-weekly with balanced fertilizer. Remove any damaged leaves. Support tall stems if needed.

Mature Vegetative

8-12 weeks

Plant reaches full size with numerous large, arrow-shaped leaves on purple stems. Corms develop and expand underground.

Continue regular watering and feeding. Maintain humidity around 70-80%. Monitor for pests. Mulch around base to retain moisture.

Corm Development & Storage

6-10 weeks

Underground corms enlarge significantly, accumulating starch. Main corm and daughter cormels develop. Foliage may begin to yellow as energy is redirected to corm storage.

Reduce fertilizer nitrogen; increase potassium. Maintain moisture but avoid waterlogging. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Harvest Readiness

2-4 weeks

Corms reach full size (8-12 inches diameter for main corm). Plant foliage begins natural senescence, signaling harvest maturity.

Stop watering to harden corms. Allow foliage to die back completely. Corms become sweeter as carbohydrate storage peaks.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Mint Lettuce Spinach Beans Squash Nasturtiums Marigolds

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Potatoes Tomatoes Peppers Eggplants

Common Pests

Remove infected leaves immediately. Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Apply fungicide containing copper or mancozeb. Use resistant varieties when available.
Increase humidity and misting. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly. Introduce predatory mites. Remove heavily infested leaves.
Isolate affected plants. Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Improve air circulation.
Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering. Remove affected corms. Improve soil aeration. Treat with fungicide if caught early.
Scrape off manually. Spray with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Prune heavily infested stems. Monitor regularly.

Uses

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Boiled, Roasted & Fried Staple

Culinary

Taro Violeta corms are peeled, cooked, and used in soups, stews, curries, and as a potato substitute. The purple coloring intensifies slightly when cooked, making it visually distinctive in traditional Caribbean and Pacific Island dishes like taro root chips and poi. [source]

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Leaves as Greens

Culinary

Young taro leaves (similar to spinach in texture) are edible when cooked thoroughly to break down calcium oxalate crystals. They are used in Caribbean and African cuisines in dishes like callaloo, a popular leafy green stew. [source]

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Digestive & Nutritional Support

Medicinal

Taro root is rich in resistant starch, dietary fiber, and minerals including potassium and magnesium, supporting digestive health and blood sugar regulation. Traditional medicine systems use taro for its prebiotic fiber content and overall nutritional benefits. [source]

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Ornamental Foliage

Household

The Violeta cultivar's striking purple-tinged leaves and stems make it an attractive ornamental plant for tropical and subtropical gardens, container displays, and conservatories. [source]

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Pollinator & Insect Support

Wildlife

Taro flowers (inflorescences) attract pollinators and beneficial insects, providing forage in tropical gardens while the dense foliage offers shelter for beneficial arthropods. [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 foliage dies back naturally, typically 6-9 months after planting (longer in cooler zones). Carefully dig around the main plant and lift corms with a spade, being careful not to damage them. Harvest daughter cormels separately. Allow corms to cure in a warm, dry location for 1-2 weeks to toughen the skin before storage. Store in cool (50-55°F), dry conditions with good ventilation for up to 6 months. Freshly harvested corms are more tender; aged corms store longer.

Fun Facts

🌱 Taro Violeta's purple pigmentation comes from anthocyanins, the same antioxidant compounds that give blueberries and purple cabbage their color, making it both visually striking and nutritionally beneficial.
🌱 Taro is one of the oldest cultivated crops, with evidence of cultivation dating back 8,000+ years in Southeast Asia, and it remains a staple carbohydrate in Pacific Island, African, and Caribbean cuisines.
🌱 The calcium oxalate crystals in raw taro (which create the 'itchy' sensation) are completely neutralized by cooking, making thorough preparation essential—the traditional Hawaiian poi is made by cooking and fermenting taro corms for several days.

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade

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