How to Transplant Taro

Water the taro in the ground or container well a day or two before you transplant it if it has not rained recently. This will make the soil around the plant easier to penetrate, minimizing stress to the plant.

Dig a planting hole for the taro that is two to three times wider than and as deep as the anticipated root mass. Select a new site with fertile and medium to wet soil. If necessary, work about 3 inches of an organic matter soil amendment like aged manure or peat moss into the planting site to improve the soil's moisture retention. A site in partial shade is usually ideal, although this may vary between cultivars and with the climate of the site. Space holes for multiple plants 2 to 4 feet apart. If you are growing the taro in a container, choose a new container that is only a few inches larger than the current container and has plenty of drain holes. Fill the container up about halfway with high-quality potting soil.

Dig up the taro corms using a sharp spade or garden fork to loosen the soil in a circle about 8 to 12 inches out from the base of the plant and then lift the root mass out of the ground. Alternatively, slide the taro root mass out of the container.

Gently pull the taro roots apart into multiple sections to create multiple new plants, if desired. Inspect the root system and use a sharp, clean knife to trim off any dead or damaged pieces.

Clean as much dirt and debris off of the corms and cormels as possible if you are overwintering the dormant corms indoors. Store the corms in a cool, dry place where temperatures will remain just above 45 degrees Fahrenheit until you will plant them.

Set the taro corm and attached roots in the center of the prepared hole or container. Add or remove soil under the roots, as needed, so that the tip, or pointed end, of the corm is just above the soil level or about 1 to 2 inches below the lip of the container.

Fill in the space in the planting hole or container around the taro root mass with soil you removed to dig the hole, firming it down as you go until the packed soil reaches just below the tip of the corm.

Water the newly transplanted taro roots well, adding more soil to account for settling, if needed, and regularly throughout the growing season. These plants perform best if the soil they are growing in remains constantly moist.