Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhlers Medizinal-Pflanzen / Public domain
garden
Cassava
Manihot esculenta
EdibleMedicinalToxic — Use CautionDrought Tolerant
Edible Partsroots
Overview
The starchy tuberous root that feeds over 800 million people worldwide, cassava is the third-largest source of calories in the tropics after rice and corn. Also known as yuca, manioc, or tapioca plant, it is remarkably drought-tolerant and productive in poor soils where other crops fail. Raw cassava must always be properly processed to remove naturally occurring cyanogenic compounds.
Growing Conditions
LightFull Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones9a — 13
Height3.05m
Spread3m
Growth HabitShrub
LifespanPerennial
Bloom ColorGreen
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH5.5 — 6.5
Soil TypeLight, well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Apr — May | Plant stem cuttings 6-8" long at 45° angle; frost-free season of 8+ months required |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Oct — Dec | Harvest roots 8-12 months after planting; peel and cook immediately — raw roots contain cyanide |
| Hot (10+) | Transplant | Mar — May | Plant cuttings in spring; full sun; tolerates poor soil and drought once established |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Sep — Dec | Dig roots as needed; sweet varieties can be boiled directly; bitter varieties need processing |
Uses
Culinary
- Boiled, fried, or mashed like potatoes
- Processed into tapioca pearls and flour
- Fermented into garri and fufu in West African cuisine
Medicinal
- Resistant starch supports gut microbiome health
- Starchy root provides sustained energy
- Leaf extract traditionally used for headaches in tropical medicine
Other Uses
- Biofuel feedstock in tropical regions
- Starch used in industrial adhesives and textiles
- Drought-resilient food security crop
Safety Notes
The leaves contain the harmful glucoside linamarin, which can release the toxic hydrocyanic acid in the presence of the enzyme linase[298 , 300 ]. This can be destroyed by heat[298 ] (Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested)
