Planting Cassava from Branch Cuttings (Vertical Method)

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is one of the easiest crops to propagate. Instead of planting seeds, cassava is grown from stem cuttings, which quickly root and grow into a full plant. With the right spacing and planting depth, a single branch can turn into a plant producing several pounds of roots.

1. Preparing the Cuttings

Choose healthy, mature cassava branches that are woody and firm.

Cut branches into sections about:

• 8–12 inches long

• Each piece should contain several visible growth nodes (the small bumps or rings along the stem).

These nodes are where roots and new shoots will form.

2. Planting Vertically

Plant each cassava cutting straight up and down in the soil.

When placing the cutting in the ground:

• Bury 2–3 growth nodes below the soil surface

• Leave 2–3 nodes above ground

The nodes underground will form the root system, while the nodes above ground will produce the new stems and leaves.

Press the soil firmly around the cutting so it stays upright and has good soil contact.

3. Plant Spacing

Cassava plants grow large and need room to develop their underground roots.

We recommend spacing plants:4 feet apart in all directions

This spacing allows each plant to:

• Develop large storage roots

• Receive good sunlight

• Maintain airflow between plants

Proper spacing also makes harvesting much easier later on.

4. Watering After Planting

Cassava is drought tolerant once established, but new cuttings need moisture to root successfully.

After planting:

• Water deeply immediately after planting

• For the first 1–2 weeks, water every 2–3 days if rainfall is limited

• Once you see new leaf growth, the plant is establishing roots

After establishment, cassava usually needs very little supplemental watering, especially in warm climates.

5. What Happens Next

Within a few weeks, you should begin to see new shoots and leaves emerging from the nodes above the soil. Over time, the plant will grow into a tall leafy shrub while underground it develops the large starchy roots that make cassava such an important staple crop.

With proper spacing and healthy soil, cassava plants typically grow for 8–12 months before harvest, producing multiple edible roots from a single planted cutting.