Key Features
- Tropical root crop known for its starchy underground roots.
- Produces tall, upright plants with attractive green foliage.
- Well suited to warm-climate gardens and tropical growing conditions.
- Underground roots can be harvested when sufficiently mature.
- An interesting crop for gardeners exploring traditional root vegetables.
Growing Benefits
- Grow an unusual tropical root crop in suitable warm conditions.
- Adds diversity to home vegetable and food gardens.
- Offers an engaging gardening project for experienced growers.
- Produces useful underground roots for traditional culinary preparation.
- Attractive foliage also adds structure to tropical garden spaces.
Seed Specifications
- Common Name: Cassava, Manioc, Yuca
- Botanical Name: Manihot esculenta
- Plant Type: Tropical perennial root crop
- Colors: Green foliage with brown or tan outer roots and white to cream root flesh, depending on variety
- Height: Commonly several feet tall when mature
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Loose, fertile, well-drained soil
- Water: Regular moisture during establishment with good drainage
- Germination Time: Several weeks under favorable warm conditions
- Sowing Depth: Shallow planting depth in a well-drained seed-starting medium
- Spacing: Provide generous room for mature plants and root development
- Growing Zones: Best suited to tropical and warm subtropical climates; grown as an annual where seasons are shorter
- Flowering/Maturity: Root maturity generally requires a long warm growing period
- Uses: Cooked root dishes, flour, starch, soups, stews, and traditional foods
Four Growing Tips
- Plant in a warm, sunny location after cold weather has passed.
- Use loose, well-drained soil to encourage healthy root development.
- Keep young plants consistently watered while avoiding waterlogged soil.
- Give mature plants plenty of room for growth and underground roots.
Seed Storage
Store cassava seeds in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Keep them sealed in an airtight container or their original packet until ready for planting.
Unique Facts About Seeds
- Cassava is scientifically known as Manihot esculenta and belongs to the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae.
- Cassava is an important staple root crop in many tropical and subtropical regions.
- The edible roots contain naturally occurring cyanogenic compounds and must be properly processed and thoroughly cooked before consumption.
- Commercial cassava production is commonly propagated using stem cuttings rather than true seeds.