Species cassava
Green leaves with  maroon petiole, yellow midrib and veins

cassava

Manihot esculenta

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a highly medicinal and versatile plant, native to South America and parts of Africa. It is a woody shrub, with large, pointed, glossy leaves, and edible underground tubers that store the plant’s nutrients through drought and other climatic conditions. Cassava’s varied uses include food, animal feed, and industrial products such as ethanol, starch, and glue. It is also the source of tapioca, a popular and nutritious food. Its vitamins, minerals, and other properties have made it particularly important as a food source in impoverished regions worldwide.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Tissue Culture,Layering Propagation,Division,Air Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

10 - 12

Flowers:

Greenish-white Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Tropical:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

When it comes to watering cassava (Manihot esculenta), it is important to water it deeply and consistently. During the growing season, cassava should be watered about once a week, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. It is best to water at the root, avoiding getting the leaves wet. A good rule of thumb is to water until the soil is saturated, then wait for the soil to dry out before watering again. It should receive about 2-4 inches of water per week. In the winter, when the cassava is in dormancy, waterings can be reduced to once every other week.

sunlight

Cassava, a tropical plant species of the genus Manihot, requires at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day to maintain healthy growth and development. However, it is important to note that too much direct sunlight can be harmful and even detrimental for cassava cultivation. Exposing the plant to too much long, direct sunlight can cause the leaves to wilt and the plant to become weakened. It is best to position cassava in a location where it will receive full sunlight for part of the day, but be sheltered from too long hours in the sun. This ensures that the plant will get a regular supply of sunlight, enough to promote robust foliage and healthy crop yields.

pruning

Pruning cassava (Manihot esculenta) should be done during the early growth stage, preferably from planting to 8 weeks after planting when stems reach a height of 0.75–1.00 m. Prune stems by cutting about 1-third of their total length and removing leaves below the cut. Be careful not to leave stubs when pruning. Pruning should be done in early spring and/or late summer for cassava grown in temperate climates, or every 3 to 4 months for plants grown in tropical climates. Avoid pruning during rainy season, when plants are more likely to be affected by diseases.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Cassava typically starts flowering in the months of April and May.

Hardiness Map