How to Grow Cassava
Manihot esculenta
Cassava is a tropical shrub grown for its starchy tuberous roots. Propagate from mature stem cuttings 20-30cm long, planted at an angle into warm, well-drained soil. It thrives in full sun and tolerates poor soils but not waterlogging. Growth is continuous in the tropics; in subtropics allow 8-18 months to harvest. Roots deteriorate rapidly after harvest and must be processed within 48 hours. All cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides; always peel, soak, and cook or ferment before eating.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Apply balanced fertiliser at planting and again at 2-3 months. Cassava tolerates poor soil but responds well to potassium.
Watch For
- Cassava mosaic virus
- Mealybugs
- Whitefly
- Spider mites
Companions
Beans, Maize, Groundnuts
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun essential
Requires full sun for optimal tuber development. At least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Tolerates light shade but yields are significantly reduced.
Watering
Drought tolerant once established
Water regularly for the first 2-3 months after planting to establish roots. Once established, cassava is highly drought tolerant. Avoid waterlogging which causes root rot.
Fertilizing
Low input, responds to potassium
Apply balanced fertiliser at planting and side-dress with potassium-rich feed at 2-3 months. Cassava tolerates poor soils but potassium improves tuber size and starch content.
Pruning
Minimal, remove yellowing leaves
No formal pruning required. Remove lower leaves as they yellow naturally. Thin weak stems in multi-stem plantings to improve individual tuber size.
Spacing
1m apart in rows 1.2m apart
Space stem cuttings 1m apart in rows 1-1.2m apart. The spreading canopy will fill the gaps within 3-4 months and suppress weeds naturally.
Support
None needed
Cassava is a self-supporting woody shrub. No staking or support structures required. Strong winds may snap tall stems but the plant regrows readily.
Growing Tips
Use mature stem cuttings
Select woody stems from healthy plants, cut into 20-30cm pieces, and plant at a 45-degree angle with 2-3 nodes buried.
Process roots promptly
Harvest roots deteriorate within 48 hours. Peel, soak, and cook or ferment immediately to remove cyanogenic compounds and prevent spoilage.
Never eat raw cassava
All cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides. Proper processing (peeling, soaking, boiling, or fermenting) is essential for food safety.
Weed early, relax later
Keep the planting area weed-free for the first 3 months. Once the canopy closes, cassava shades out competition on its own.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 100 cm |
| Row spacing | 120 cm |
| Mature height | 250 cm |
| Mature spread | 150 cm |
Plant stem cuttings at an angle or horizontally, 1m apart. Allow generous spacing for the spreading canopy.
