Harvesting and Saving Cassava Branches for Future Planting

While Cassava is technically a perennial crop, we prefer to grow it as an annual in our NE Florida climate so we can fully capitalize on all this plant has to offer. 

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is easy to propagate from branches, making it simple to multiply your plants year after year. Saving healthy branches ensures you always have cuttings ready for planting new cassava.

When to Harvest Branches

• Harvest branches from mature, healthy plants that are at least 8–12 months old Before Freezing Temperatures.

• Choose strong, woody stems that are free from disease or damage.

• Ideally, pick branches that are one inch diameter and thicker with plenty of growth nodes —thin, weak stems root less reliably.

How to Harvest

1. Use a clean, sharp knife or pruning tool like loppers to cut branches from the plant.

2. Cut close to the base of the plant leaving branches whole for storage. 

3. Remove any leaves or side shoots that may get in the way.

Preparing Branches for Storage over Winter

• Keep the branches in a cool, shaded area. (We store in a shady part of our Innovation Greenhouse, and have heard of people having success storing in a garage.)

• Stand them upright in a bucket with mulch or hay at the bottom to prevent drying out.

• Check branches periodically to make sure they’re not getting too cold and/or drying out

Tips for Successful Future Planting

• Always select branches from vigorous, productive plants to ensure healthy offspring.

• Label different varieties if you’re saving more than one type.

• Combine with vertical planting techniques when ready to root new cuttings.

By harvesting and saving cassava branches carefully, you can propagate your crop easily, expand your food forest, and share cuttings with your community—all from a single plant.