Cassava (Manihot esculenta)
Discover Cassava (Manihot esculenta), a tropical shrub grown for its edible roots, thriving in warm, sunny locations.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Manihot esculenta, commonly known as Cassava, is a versatile tropical shrub originating from Brazil, valued globally primarily for its starchy, tuberous roots. While cultivated worldwide as an essential food crop, its striking, deeply lobed foliage also offers significant ornamental value in warm climates. This milky-sapped plant requires significant warmth and time to mature its edible yield.
As a Broadleaf evergreen in its native range, Cassava provides continuous structure, reaching heights of 6 to 10 feet. Gardeners in tropical and semi-tropical regions benefit from growing Manihot esculenta for both its aesthetic presence and exceptional harvest potential, provided frost is avoided.
The plant features distinctive, medium green, palmately lobed leaves that contribute texture to the landscape. Successful cultivation of Manihot esculenta relies on providing consistently warm temperatures and sufficient time for root development before the first winter chill.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Native Range: Brazil
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-12
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 6-10 ft
- Spread: 6-10 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: Greenish-white
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
For optimal growth, plant Cassava where it receives full sun to part shade, thriving best in fertile, sandy soils that are well-drained and kept evenly moist. In its ideal tropical environments (Zones 10-12), the plants behave as evergreens, forming permanent structure.
Watering requirements are medium. Ensure consistent moisture, especially during the main growing season, as this supports the development of the desirable tuberous roots. Fertilization should support robust foliage and root growth while avoiding excessive nitrogen late in the season.
If growing Manihot esculenta outside its perennial hardiness range (such as in Zones 8-9), anticipate frost damage; plants will die back to the ground but usually resprout in spring. However, these borderline regions demand 8-9 frost-free months for the roots to become harvest-worthy. Propagation is easily achieved through stem cuttings taken from mature plants.
Where frost poses a threat, Cassava can successfully be grown as an annual in the ground or managed as a container plant indoors over winter. Even brief dips below freezing will harm the growth cycle necessary to achieve viable root harvests.
Landscape Uses
In tropical and semi-tropical areas, Manihot esculenta shines as a productive root crop, offering dual function in the garden setting. Where climates permit year-round growth, its substantial height and dense, deeply cut foliage make it an excellent backdrop plant or screening element.
For gardeners in areas nearing the frost line, Cassava is best utilized as a dramatic foliage annual, providing exotic texture throughout the summer months until cold weather strikes. Consider planting in large containers, which allows for easy relocation indoors when temperatures drop, protecting the plant and extending its visual appeal.
Due to its size potential, avoid placing smaller perennials immediately next to Manihot esculenta; instead, utilize it near fences or property lines where its 6-10 foot spread will not overwhelm smaller ornamental companions.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Manihot esculenta, commonly known as bitter cassava, tapioca, manioc or yuca, is a milky-sapped tropical shrub that grows to 6-10’ tall. Although native to Brazil, it has been planted as an annual root crop in tropical areas around the world for harvest of its stout, elongated, tuberous roots from which cassava, tapioca, starch and other food products are obtained. It features palmately lobed, medium green leaves (typically 3-7 parted) with each leaf lobe growing to 3-8” long.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
Potential Problems
Manihot esculenta generally exhibits strong resistance to serious insect or disease problems under proper growing conditions. However, growers should remain vigilant for infestations of pests like red spider mites, particularly when the plant is stressed or grown in dry, hot indoor environments during overwintering. Maintaining appropriate moisture without waterlogging the sandy soil helps prevent general stress that attracts these opportunistic feeders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Cassava suitable for?
Cassava is best established in USDA Zones 10 through 12, where it can be grown as a perennial evergreen shrub.
How large does Cassava grow?
This shrub typically reaches a mature height between 6 and 10 feet tall, with a similar spread of 6 to 10 feet.
What sun exposure does Cassava need?
Manihot esculenta requires full sun to part shade conditions for robust health and root production.
When does Cassava bloom?
This species is recognized as a seasonal bloomer, producing small, greenish-white flowers.
Conclusion
Cassava (Manihot esculenta) offers exceptional functional value as a key tropical root crop and provides bold, tropical texture for warm-climate landscapes. Whether you are harvesting yuca or simply enjoying the striking foliage, success depends on providing consistent warmth and excellent drainage. Before planting, rigorously confirm your local frost dates to ensure your Manihot esculenta has the required 8-9 months of frost-free weather.
Native Companions
For gardeners in Zones 10-12 looking to integrate Cassava into a tropical aesthetic, pairing it with other heat-loving, broadleaf plants works well. Consider companion planting with other large-leafed tropicals such as ornamental bananas (Musa species) or bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae) to enhance the lush, jungle-like feel. These companions share similar full sun to part shade preferences and medium water requirements.
Soil Health and Tubers
Given that the primary value of Manihot esculenta often lies in its edible tubers, soil management is paramount. The genus name’s specific epithet refers to its edibility, which is only realized when the soil allows the roots to swell unimpeded. Use sandy, fertile soil as noted in its culture requirements, ensuring excellent drainage, as standing water is detrimental to root quality and can lead to rot.
