{"id":289,"date":"2022-09-08T12:51:01","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T12:51:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/?post_type=product&p=289"},"modified":"2025-08-04T10:21:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T10:21:09","slug":"coco-yam","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/product\/coco-yam\/","title":{"rendered":"Coco yam"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Botanical Name:<\/strong>\u00a0Xanthosoma sagittifolium<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some other names:<\/strong>\u00a0Arrowleaf elephant\u2019s ear, Malanga, Taro kang kong<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to grow it:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n

Coco yam is a clumping perennial<\/b> that grows up to 1.5\u202fm tall. It looks a lot like taro, but with a key difference: its large arrow\u2011shaped leaves connect to the stalk at the base of the leaf, not the middle.<\/p>\r\n

Native to tropical Central and South America<\/b>, coco yam is now grown across tropical and subtropical regions<\/b> as a staple food. It thrives in warmth but will also grow in milder temperate zones<\/b> as long as it\u2019s protected from heavy frost. In cooler areas it may die back in winter, then re\u2011sprout when spring arrives.<\/p>\r\n

It tolerates both full sun and light shade<\/b>, and unlike taro, prefers free\u2011draining soil<\/b> \u2013 boggy conditions will cause it to stagnate or rot. Regular watering is essential, though, and rich, fertile soil will reward you with larger, healthier corms.<\/p>\r\n

Mulch and feed well throughout the growing season, and enjoy the bold, tropical look of the foliage \u2013 it\u2019s an ornamental plant as much as a food crop.<\/p>\r\n

Propagation is simple: once you have a plant established, you can replant the side suckers or root pieces<\/b> that sprout all around the main plant. If you harvest the main corm, the surrounding offsets will keep coming back. Coco yam also grows beautifully in large pots<\/b> \u2013 though corms will be smaller, it\u2019s a great way to keep a plant handy in a greenhouse or on a warm patio.

<\/p>\r\n

Herbal & Nutrient Value<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Coco yam is not only versatile but nutritionally dense<\/b>. The leaves<\/b> are high in protein<\/b>, a rarity for leafy greens, and provide vitamins A, B, and C<\/b>, as well as calcium<\/b> and potassium<\/b>. The corms<\/b> are a fantastic source of easily digestible carbohydrates<\/b>, making them a reliable energy staple, and also contain good amounts of vitamins A and C, protein, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n

Traditionally, coco yam has been used as a tonic food<\/b> in tropical diets \u2013 the leaves for their mineral content and the corms for energy. Like taro, it contains natural compounds that are toxic when raw<\/b>, but completely safe once cooked<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n

Traditional & Home Remedies<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Leaf poultice:<\/strong> Cooked leaves cooled and applied to insect bites and rashes.
Digestive tonic soup:<\/strong> Light broth with malanga corm, ginger, and garlic.
Convalescent mash:<\/strong> Mashed corms fed to those recovering from illness for energy.
Lactation support tea:<\/strong> Mild infusion from leaves (boiled and strained).

<\/p>\r\n

Using It in the Kitchen<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Coco yam is one of those plants where every part is edible<\/b> \u2013 as long as you cook it. The corms, leaves, and stems all go into the pot, and each has its own role.<\/p>\r\n

Important:<\/b> All parts must be well cooked<\/b> to destroy natural toxins. Corms should always be peeled first.<\/p>\r\n

The leaves and stems<\/b> are brilliant in curries, soups, and casseroles<\/b>, adding protein and taking on the flavour of whatever you\u2019re cooking. The stems add an interesting texture, slightly firm but tender once stewed.<\/p>\r\n

The corms<\/b> can be treated like potatoes \u2013 boil, roast, mash, or cut into chips. They\u2019re creamy, slightly nutty, and hold their shape well in stews and soups.<\/p>\r\n

5 Simple Recipes:<\/b>
– Coco Yam Curry<\/b> \u2013 simmer peeled corm chunks and leaves in coconut milk with curry spices.
– Garlic\u2011Saut\u00e9ed Stems<\/b> \u2013 slice stems, saut\u00e9 with garlic and onions for a tasty side.
– Coco Yam Chips<\/b> \u2013 slice corms thinly, toss with oil, and bake or fry until crisp.
– Leafy Soup<\/b> \u2013 cook leaves and stems with stock, garlic, and a squeeze of lime.
– Mashed Coco Yam<\/b> \u2013 boil corms, mash with butter and herbs for a starchy comfort food.

<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Coco yam tubers from 1 small plant.

<\/em><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Other uses:<\/h3>\r\n

Coco yam isn\u2019t just a food source \u2013 the large leaves<\/b> can be harvested as mulch<\/b> several times a season, feeding the soil and keeping weeds down. Its striking foliage also makes it a great ornamental<\/b> for gardens, greenhouses, or even large pots on patios.

<\/p>\r\n

Why it’s a survival plant:<\/h3>\r\n

Drought\u2011tolerant once established, multi\u2011purpose, and generous<\/b>, giving you starchy corms, edible greens, and mulch in one plant. Plant it once in a warm spot and it will keep you fed \u2013 and make your garden look good while it\u2019s at it.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Coco yam is a tough, handsome plant that feeds you from root to leaf. Grown widely across the tropics for its starchy corms and protein-rich greens, it\u2019s a hardy, multi\u2011use survival plant that doubles as a striking ornamental in the garden.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":86,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":100,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[39,41,45],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-289","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-drought-resistant-plants","7":"product_cat-mulch-plants","8":"product_cat-soups-and-curries","10":"first","11":"instock","12":"shipping-taxable","13":"product-type-simple"},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t