Colocasia esculenta
Cocoyam, Taro, Dasheen, West Indian kale, Elephant's ear, Eddo, Green taro, Yam
Also known as Colocasia antiquorum
- Height × spread
- 1.2m × 1.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Forms of this plant are grown as ornamentals, but the species is a food staple and is said to have been in cultivation for over 10,000 years. It has been carried to many parts of the world. The plant itself makes a handsome specimen with huge leaves poised on long stems and architectural in effect. The flowers are greenish yellow and appear in summer. The plant makes a strong architectural statement when well grown. The tuber and the young leaves are eaten. The cooked tuber is used for a variety of products in China, Japan, Haiti and Hawaii, among other places. It is even used to make taro chips. It needs warmth and moisture and can take water up to 15cm deep. Although it is fine in a sunny position, it will have bigger leaves when grown in a partly shaded site. This is not frost-hardy. The tubers may be dried and kept over winter where it is too cold to leave them in situ.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Horizontal
- Height
- 1.2m
- Spread
- 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Water garden, Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Water depth
- Up to 15cm
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten; skin & eye irritant
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food
Using a balanced houseplant fertiliser, feed at alternate waterings.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Don't water while dormant
Keep the compost or the plant tuber, rhizome or bulb completely dry when the plant is dormant.
The plant requires a rest period in order to thrive. Watering at this time may prevent dormancy, or may induce rot or disease.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.
Found in
More Colocasia
Colocasia
Cocoyam, Taro, Dasheen, West Indian kale
Colocasia Phantom = 'Cophanto'
Elephant's ear
Colocasia esculenta
Cocoyam, Taro, Dasheen, West Indian kale, Elephant's ear, Eddo, Green taro, Yam
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'
Cocoyam, Taro, Dasheen, West Indian kale, Elephant's ear, Eddo, Green taro, Yam
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Sapphire Gecko'
Cocoyam, Taro, Dasheen, West Indian Kale, Elephant's ear, Eddo, Green taro, Yam