Home › Taro (Arbi / Colocasia) › Grow in Washington

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

US · USDA Zone 8b · zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Grows well here

Taro grows well in your warm, humid zone — plant in moist soil or even in a container of water.

Plant zones

7a–11b

Washington last frost

late January

Washington first frost

mid-December

Days to harvest

150–200 days

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

Start indoors

Jan 1

Transplant

Jan 30

Harvest

Jun 29 – Aug 18

Dates are approximate, based on Washington'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 Washington

Washington has dramatically different climates. The wet maritime west (Zone 8a-8b) is mild and productive year-round. Eastern Washington is semi-arid and colder (Zone 5-6) with hot dry summers.