Cassava Manihot esculenta
Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is an annual vegetable in the Euphorbiaceae family, native to South America (southern Amazon basin, Brazil). It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
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Cassava at a glance
| Type | Annual vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 21–43 weeks after planting, for 14–29 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 270 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: storage roots (must be cooked or processed), young leaves (cooked) |
| Native to | South America (southern Amazon basin, Brazil) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Is Cassava toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: raw roots, leaves, stems
All raw parts contain cyanogenic glycosides (linamarin) that release cyanide; roots and leaves must be peeled, soaked and cooked.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Cassava
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Cassava
- How far apart should I plant Cassava?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft).
- Does Cassava need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cassava need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Cassava?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Cassava flower?
- About 21–43 weeks after planting, for 14–29 weeks.
- Is Cassava poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. All raw parts contain cyanogenic glycosides (linamarin) that release cyanide; roots and leaves must be peeled, soaked and cooked.
- What grows well with Cassava?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cassava. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- A woody perennial shrub grown as a 8 to 12 month root crop from stem cuttings; frost-tender. Bitter cultivars have the highest cyanide content.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Croton Codiaeum variegatum
- Crown of thorns Euphorbia milii
- Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima
- Pará rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis
- Mediterranean spurge Euphorbia characias
- Candlenut (kukui) Aleurites moluccanus
- Candelabra tree (naboom) Euphorbia ingens
- Griffith’s spurge Euphorbia griffithii