How to grow Taro in Australia
A wetland crop for full sun to part shade in heavy, rich soil that holds water. It loves constant moisture and even grows in shallow standing water, so never let it dry out.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Part shade
- Water: 10 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 60 cm
- Time to harvest: 270 days
- Time to germinate: 14 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to February | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October and November | Marginal tropical; uncertain harvest; requires long season; tuber rot risk in Sydney winter. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Frost kills taro plants. Winter dormancy fatal. Unsuitable; would need to lift rhizomes and regrow annually. |
| Adelaide & SA | Not suited | Not practical in Adelaide. Needs warm wet soil for 8 or more months; dry heat and cool winters defeat it. |
| Perth & WA | September and October | Plant Sep to Oct. Taro needs warmth and constant water, and must be established before the cool of winter. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Tropical tuber needing constant warmth. Not viable in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Taro unsuitable for Canberra: tropical rhizome; requires warmth and humidity. Cannot tolerate Canberra winters. |
| North Queensland | September to February | Wet season Sep to Feb. Taro is tropical staple tuber; thrives in warm moist soil and humidity. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to February | Wet season Sep to Feb. Taro is tropical staple tuber; thrives in warm moist soil and humidity. |
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Corms are ready when the leaves start to yellow and die back. Dig the whole clump with a fork and lift the corms, keeping a few for replanting.
Storage
Cool dry place, up to 2 weeks. Do not refrigerate.