chong

I have found that Manihots like very warm temperatures. If you've propageted them from seeds, you're already halfway there. They do not like their feet very wet. If they die beyond the 3-inch height, it might be that your medium is too wet, and the ambient temperature too low for them.

I brought back cuttings of these from Homestead, FL, that I saw growing at the side of the road, and actually rooted them and started growing branches. Then when the weather got cold here in Seattle, WA, I brought them inside my greenhouse, but they all just stopped growing. The cuttings dried out.

I do not think there's anything illegal about wanting some cuttings because it's usually plants with soil that are mostly prohibited. The only reason they may be restricted is if your country does not allow importation of Manihot due to their toxicity. Tapioca root is poisonous when uncooked. Heat takes away the toxins. But if you see Tapioca roots for sale in your area, i.e. in Asian, Indian, or Pakistani stores, there is no reason why cuttings would be illegal.

If I can find some of the mail order places that have these plants, I will post them here. Variegated version of Manihot is not Esculantus, I don't think. though the plant looks the same except for the variegation. If you are looking to have the plant for foliage, the variegated one is your best bet. They are hardier than the Esculantus, but I don't think they produce edible tubers.