Intermediate
skill rating
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Colocasia esculenta (Taro)
2 hours care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
1.5m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Colocasia esculenta
Other names
Taro, Egyptian cocoa root, Elephant ears, Elephant's ears, Dalo, Talas, Imo, Kalo, Eddo, Egyptian ginger, Bleeding heart, Cocoyam, Callaloo, Coco, Coco yam
Genus
Colocasia Colocasia
Species
C. esculenta - C. esculenta is an upright, clump-forming, tender, evergreen, marginal aquatic perennial with edible tubers and large, long-stalked, heart- or arrow-shaped, mid- to dark green leaves.
Colocasia esculenta is: Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
Toxicity
All parts of poisonous by ingestion, and may irritate skin.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Insignificant or absent, White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly
General care
Pruning
Remove faded leaves as needed.
Propagation
Divide when dormant in winter or early spring.
Propagation methods
Division
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Where to grow
Colocasia esculenta (Taro) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Conservatory, Containers, Indoor, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grow in loam-less potting compost in bright filtered light and high humidity. Requires at least 21C to stay evergreen. Water and feed when in growth, but keep just moist in winter. If storing dormant tubers keep dry. In frost-free areas, grow outdoors in fertile, humus-rich, moist or wet, slightly acid soil in full sun.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Colocasia esculenta
Other names
Taro, Egyptian cocoa root, Elephant ears, Elephant's ears, Dalo, Talas, Imo, Kalo, Eddo, Egyptian ginger, Bleeding heart, Cocoyam, Callaloo, Coco, Coco yam
Genus
Colocasia Colocasia
Species
C. esculenta - C. esculenta is an upright, clump-forming, tender, evergreen, marginal aquatic perennial with edible tubers and large, long-stalked, heart- or arrow-shaped, mid- to dark green leaves.
Native to
Eastern Asia
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
Toxicity
All parts of poisonous by ingestion, and may irritate skin.
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent, White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly
General care
Pruning
Remove faded leaves as needed.
Propagation
Divide when dormant in winter or early spring.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Colocasia esculenta (Taro) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Conservatory, Containers, Indoor, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grow in loam-less potting compost in bright filtered light and high humidity. Requires at least 21C to stay evergreen. Water and feed when in growth, but keep just moist in winter. If storing dormant tubers keep dry. In frost-free areas, grow outdoors in fertile, humus-rich, moist or wet, slightly acid soil in full sun.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 12, Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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