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Can You Grow Taro (Arbi / Colocasia) in Alberta?

Canada · Canadian Zone 4 · zones 2, 3, 4, 5

Won't grow here

Taro is frost-tender and cannot survive outdoors in your zone.

Plant zones

7a–11b

Alberta last frost

early May

Alberta first frost

early October

Days to harvest

150–200 days

When to plant Taro (Arbi / Colocasia)s in Alberta

Start indoors

Mar 5

Transplant

May 1

Harvest

Sep 28 – Nov 16

Dates are approximate, based on Alberta's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Taro (Arbi / Colocasia)

Taro (arbi) is a staple starchy corm used across Indian, Caribbean, Hawaiian, and African cuisines. The large decorative leaves make it a striking ornamental too. Grow from corms — never eat raw (the raw plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that must be destroyed by cooking).

Start corms indoors 8 weeks before last frost. Loves warmth, humidity, and consistently moist soil. Can grow in water or very wet soil. Harvest corms in fall when leaves yellow. Always cook thoroughly before eating. Can overwinter indoors as a houseplant.

Full taro (arbi / colocasia) growing guide →

Gardening in Alberta

Alberta has a dry continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Calgary and Edmonton are Zone 4-5. Intense sunshine compensates for the short season. Chinook winds bring warm spells in winter.