How to grow Cassava in Australia
Grow cassava in full sun in light, free-draining soil from stem cuttings pushed into warm ground. It is very drought tolerant once established, so water young plants then ease right off.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 7 days
- Spacing: 100 cm
- Time to harvest: 365 days (about 1 year)
- Time to germinate: 14 days
- Soil pH: 5 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to November | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to November | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October and November | Marginal tropical; unreliable in Sydney; mostly unsuitable except warm sheltered sites. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Frost sensitive; Melbourne winter kills cuttings. Unsuitable; needs 8+ frost-free months. |
| Adelaide & SA | Not suited | Not viable in Adelaide. Needs 8 or more warm frost-free months. |
| Perth & WA | September and October | Warm sheltered spots only. Plant Sep to Oct against a sunny wall. Cassava stalls in the cool wet Perth winter. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Needs 8 or more frost-free warm months. Not viable in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Cassava unsuitable for Canberra: tropical root crop; frost kills; requires long warm season. Not viable. |
| North Queensland | September to November | Wet season Sep to Nov. Cassava is tropical staple tuber. Plant at start of wet season. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to November | Wet season Sep to Nov. Cassava is tropical staple tuber. Plant at start of wet season. |
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Roots are ready once the plant is mature and lower leaves yellow, typically after many months. Cut back the stem, then dig and lift the whole root cluster.
Storage
Cook and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or peel, cut and freeze raw.