In some landscapes in Charlotte County, you may find a shrub-like plant called cassava or yuca which is the source of tapioca and other starch products. Once somewhat common in Florida backyard gardens, this plant produces swollen, edible roots which are an important source of food in many tropical countries. Another, ornamental variety is now becoming popular as a landscape plant – the variegated cassava also called Manihot esculenta ‘Variegata’. Just for ornamental purposes, variegated cassava is an attractive landscape option – variegation can add life to your garden!
Cassava is a shrub-like plant from South America which is now grown around the world. Attractive, palmate leaves grow from corky, cane-like branches. Unseen underground are swollen roots up to thirty inches long and three to four inches wide packed with carbohydrates. Older varieties called “bitter” cassavas are toxic until extensively processed to remove the poisonous cyanide. Modern-day so-called “sweet” cassavas are fine to eat once peeled and boiled to remove the toxin. I am not one-hundred percent sure which category the variegated cassava falls into, so out of an abundance of caution, and just to be on the safe side, don’t use this one for food – just for show. One established, cassava is carefree and practically drought-proof.
To start a cassava plant all you need is a segment of the stem about ten inches long. Bury the stem (right end up) about four inches deep in sterile potting medium. Cuttings root readily and can be transplanted into the landscape as specimen plants or even for container culture. The color of this cassava cultivar is distinct – red stemmed with up to eight-inch leaves variegated with green and yellow. The yellow portion eventually fades to creamy white. Growing up to six-feet tall, variegated cassava can be pruned to keep them within bounds providing a neat, multi-stemmed, rounded shrub. Variegated cassava will produce inconspicuous small green and white flowers that sometimes form seed pods. This plant grows rapidly during the summer months but will slow down as cooler weather approaches. In fact, they can look a bit unkept during the winter and may be nipped by frosts and freezes. Some diebacks will occur, but new growth should begin in March. Consider starting new plants from cuttings to give the landscape a refreshed look each year.
Where can you get the variegated cassava? The original one I had was from ECHO in North Fort Myers. On occasion you might find one at a plant sale or from the garden of an enthusiastic hobbyist. Local family-run nurseries may also carry this exotic plant from time to time. Also, check on-line as several mail order nurseries do carry small specimens for sale.
Variegated cassava is a very worthwhile ornamental plant to grow. Beyond its beauty, you can always amaze your friends when they ask, “What is that?” and then ask for a cutting – it is good to share! For more information on all types of unique plants to grow in Southwest Florida, or to ask a question, you can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer. Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS Extension – Charlotte County. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Connect with us on social media. Like us on Facebook @CharlotteCountyExtension and follow us on Instagram @ifascharco.
Resources:
UF/IFAS Extension – Orange County (2024) Plant Profiles – Variegated Cassava. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Cypress Basin Master Gardeners Association (2024) Variegated Tapioca(Bitter Cassava). AgriLife Extension of the Texas A&M University System.
Bailey, C. C. (2021) Florida gardening: Will my variegated tapioca recover from the cold? TCPalm. https://www.tcpalm.com/story/life/columnists/carol-cloud-bailey/2021/01/20/florida-gardening-my-variegated-tapioca-recover-cold/4176219001/.
ShinnJun, M. (2019) Grow Variegated Tapioca for Its Fancy Foliage. https://www.hortmag.com/plants-we-love-2/grow-variegated-tapioca-for-its-fancy-foliage.
Missouri Botanical Garden (2024) Manihot esculenta ‘Variegata’. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d825.
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