Survival Plant Profile: Cassava - King of Staples
Inside the US, cassava is generally unknown except
among various ethnic minorities. But... it's where tapioca comes from (or "fish eyes," as my Uncle Stuart calls them) and has been used as a source of laundry starch. The roots are really, really high in starch.
Growing to about 12’ tall, the cassava plant looks very
tropical. Its palmate leaves and graceful cane-like branches are attractive in
the landscape or in the garden. Cassava’s pseudonyms include yuca (with one
“c,” NOT two – “yucca” is a completely unrelated species), manioc, the tapioca
plant, and manihot. In Latin science-speak, it’s Manihot escuelenta.
Whatever you call it, it’s a serious staple crop. Virtually
pest-free, drought tolerant, loaded with calories, capable of good growth in
poor soil – cassava is a must-have anyplace it can grow. And it’s MUCH less
work than grain and much more tolerant of harvest times. In fact, once it’s hit
maturity, you can basically dig it at any point for a few years (though
the roots may sometimes get too woody to eat).
But there is a caveat on cultivation: cassava doesn’t like
cold. At all.
If temperatures drop to freezing, your cassava will freeze
to the ground. This won’t usually kill the plant, but it does mean
you need to plan your growing accordingly.
In the tropics, cassava is a perennial, capable of growing
huge roots and living for years. Here in Florida the plant does well until you
get north of zone 10, then the occasional frosts will knock it down. Growing it
at any zone beyond 8 is likely an exercise in futility. Cassava needs warm days
and nights to make good roots.
And speaking of roots… the cassava’s roots contain roughly
twice the calories of a comparable serving of potatoes. Bonus: they’re easier
to grow.
Of course, there is the cyanide to consider.
CYANIDE?!?
What – you didn’t think a plant this awesome could exist
without a downside, did you? Yes – cyanide. The plant is full of it, from its
lovely leaves to its tasty roots. Fortunately, boiling or fermenting gets it
out, so fear not. A lot of plants we eat are poisonous. Just google the “cashew
tree” or look up the toxicity of dry kidney beans. Now THAT’S scary. Compared to many things we eat, cassava's pretty tame. Microwaveable
Burritos, for instance.

To grow from fresh cuttings, chop a sturdy stem into pieces
about 1.5’ long, stick them in the ground on their sides about two inches down
and cover them lightly with soil – or, as I plant them, stuck in vertically
with the growth buds pointing up – and within a week or so they’ll be growing
new leaves. 6-12 months later (depending on care and rainfall), they’ll be
ready to start harvesting.
To harvest, machete down the entire plant a foot or so
from the ground, throw the branches to the side and start digging. Be careful,
though – the roots are easy to chop through. Some careful exploratory digging
with a trowel is often a good idea. The roots you’re looking for grow down and
away from the main stem and are generally located in the first 1-2’ of soil.
They’re deep brown with flaky skin. Don’t dig them too long before you’re going
to process them as cassava doesn’t store well at all.
Once you harvest the roots, you’ll want to chop up the rest
of the plant to make a new set of canes for planting out. I snap off all the
leaves and compost them, then cut the bare canes into planting size. Canes that
are too green tend to rot rather than root, so throw them on the compost too.
Sturdy, 1-2” diameter canes are perfect.
Plant them a third of their length or so into the ground and stand back
so the new growth doesn’t knock you over. Just don’t plant them upside-down.
Ensure they’re right side up by looking for the tiny little growth buds by the
leaf bases (or where the leaves were before they hit the compost bin). That
little dot should be above the leaf’s base, not below.
Preparing the roots is another post for another day. I’ll
take pictures next time I pull some roots.

Another great thing about this plant: its leaves are also
edible (boiled, of course – remember… CYANIDE!) and rich in nutrients. The
young leaves are best and remind me of a drier-tasting collard green. Not bad
at all. At harvest time I usually grab a few baskets’ worth for the table or
the freezer. The roots can be chopped and frozen raw as well – they keep quite
well that way.
Get some now and start learning this plant. It’s literally
proved a lifesaver in insecure regions of Africa.
Survival Plant Profile
Name: Cassava,
(Yuca)
Latin Name: Manihot
escuelenta
Type: Woody
shrub, perennial
Part Used: Leaves,
roots
Propagation: Cuttings
Taste: Good
Storability: Poor
unless frozen, dried or fermented
Ease of growing: Very
easy
Nutrition: Roots -
low. Leaves - good
Recognizability: Low
Availability: Low
SPUDMETER:
5 Spuds
SOLD OUT UNTIL SUMMER
SOLD OUT UNTIL SUMMER
Labels: africa, cassava, manihot escuelenta, manioc, root crop, Survival plants
31 Comments:
Good info. I live in Texas. I have some grown in backyard. How do I keep those stems during freezing temp? Coz I like to plant them next year. Where did u get your cuttings? I like to buy one cutting like the one u have if that's possible. Please email me on fbn5884@gmail.com Thank you
cut them before a frost. stand them in a warm corner, come spring they will start growing.
Hi David, I need some help finding Cassava cuttings. I'm pretty good on the google-fu, but I'm not turning anything up. Any suggestions? Thanks!
They're really hard to find. I keep getting asked about them... I can barely grow enough for myself.
However - I've decided to start a small nursery operation, just so I can connect people with plants like these. I've got a plan to grow out a bunch in my greenhouse so I can have cuttings available.
Where are you currently located?
That would be great! Also, you might find yourself in a whole new career path. ;) I'm in the Central Florida area. I'll send you a message with my email address for when you have some cuttings available.
Also, have you seen this youtube video? It's about increasing the propogation of Cassava. I thought it was interesting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVjXnNuCdxA
I'm glad I found this article. I really want to plant some cassava this year. I live near Gainesville, fl, and I'm not sure cassava will do good here. If it is possible for me to get some cassava cuttings from you, then I would be very grateful. It is so hard to find cassava cuttings. I have been looking online and I found this and it gives me hope.
I can hook you up. Drop me an e-mail from the contact link.
Curtmar also check out Oliver and Joe with Abundant Edible Landscaping... they are in Gainesville... google will get you a number. I got cassava and all sorts of other goodies from them.
AEL is a great place.
hi David, I am from the north of Brazil and grew up eating everything from Cassava, from the roots to the leaves. My Grandma is visiting and we are trying to find some locally so we can make some traditional Brazilian dishes. Anyway you can hook me up and get me some of the cuttings so I could plant them too? I am in NW Alabama. We do have frost, but my Grandma said from the time you plant and harvest you could probably do it between 3-6 months. I think we got enough hot weather to do it here in AL. What do you think? Thanks so much, Tereza
NW Alabama would be a stretch, but I'll bet you could do it by mulching the bases heavily. I'd totally go for it.
I do have a limited amount of plants available for sale right now - get in contact via the e-mail link on the upper right hand corner and we can talk. I'd love to hook you up.
Hi David, I live in Maryland. If is possible I want to buy some cutting from you. Please email me at : walet_e@yahoo.com Thanks
Hi David, Received the cuttings you sent! Thank you!!
Hi David really dig all the great info here on your site. I'm going to start some cassava soon - just wondering how is growth in partial sun? I'm in SoFl so no probs with them getting too cold. Also curious if you've grown malanga and if so what's the best way to start it. Thanks and keep up the good work. -CB
Thank you.
Cassava will grow in partial sun, but not impressively. The deeper the shade, the poorer the growth. I have some in full shade that is thin and leggy with no root growth... and some in partial shade doing so-so. It's definitely a tropical sun hog.
I've grown malanga from the roots in the grocery store. It likes damp (even boggy!) conditions. I've also gotten roots from Puerto Rican friends.
Good luck! South Florida is the best growing zone in the state.
Hi David, I live in Central Florida and I have yuca growing. My yuca plant is currently full of fruit. My question is can the seeds of the fruit be used to grow more plants?
Yes, though the varieties you get may vary in "bitterness," i.e. cyanide content.
Hey Dave
A co-worker and I were waiting for these to be available and we somehow missed your window. We've been watching since last fall. I hope you can help us acquiring some plants in your next harvest. Thanks for making these available to us all, obviously you have a great idea!
Hope we can part take in your next batch.
Growing hungry in Texas
Ben
warshipgod@hotmail.com
I live in SE Florida, and grow Cassava in my yard. I propagate it, and have plenty of stock. However, I have never sold any. Contact me if interested. Thank you.
yes please email at the above addy (warshipgod@hotmail.com) as I would love to purchase some
Will it grow in Arizona? We have a variety of zones; 4,5,6,7 in the mountains and zone 13 in Phoenix.
I'm sure it will. Not in 4-7, but a warm 8 onwards. 9 and beyond is best.... quicker production and no waiting for it to come back from frosts.
Where can I get some cuttings? I live in deep south Texas - Rio Grande Valley
I have a limited amount at the moment - e-mail me off the e-mail link on the sidebar.
Hi, thanks for the very useful info on this site. I have some cassava stems that I don't have the time or space to plant this year. How do I preserve them for planting next spring? I've planted stems from the same batch this year that are currently growing well so I know they're good plus we mainly consume the leaves and are less interested in the tuber. I live in Greensboro, NC. Thanks
That's a long time to keep the stems. I'd plant them in pots right now, then bring them in during the freezes.
Hey David,
This is a really interesting article. Growing cassava in this part of the world versus the Tropics certainly seems challanging. For people like myself who's originally from Liberia, West Africa, who has seen and eaten cassava in its many forms, I would just say that your article brings back beautiful memories for which I thank you.
One thing though; I believe you live in Florida. There must be some Liberians living in some of the larger cities there. If you ever happen to come accross a Liberian, ask that person about "cassava leaf." This is a Liberian dish in which the primary ingridient is the leaf of the cassava plant. It is usually cooked with meats and fish. Any chance you get to try it, if the opportunity arises, do so and you'll never forget the experience. Guranteed. Again, thanks for the article.
I've seen a video of someone making a similar dish from the leaves but I've never been able to try it. I'll keep my eyes open for Liberians!
And yes... cassava is easier, faster and more productive in the true tropics, though I'm still grateful I can pull it off here.
Hi David,
The cuttings I got from you last year are growing like mad! I love the tropical look they add to my landscape. People are always asking me what they are. I don't know how to use the roots and look forward to a post about how to use them. Keep up the good work, I've learned a lot from you !
Thanks,
The Ancient City Gardener
gretchenpm@gmail.com PLEASE let me know if I can buy cuttings form you!
We'll have them again in the summer - sold out right now.
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