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

Canada · Canadian Zone 4 · zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Won't grow here

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

Plant zones

7a–11b

Quebec last frost

early May

Quebec first frost

early October

Days to harvest

150–200 days

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

Start indoors

Mar 5

Transplant

May 1

Harvest

Sep 28 – Nov 16

Dates are approximate, based on Quebec'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 Quebec

Quebec ranges from Zone 2 in the far north to Zone 6 near Montreal. Montreal is Zone 5b-6a with a 6-month growing season. French-Canadian gardening tradition runs deep — a wide range of vegetables and fruits succeed.