Colocasia - Plant Encyclopedia Results

In cold climates, overwinter a large container in a garage. Plant this cultivar for a unique presentation and enjoy its beautiful foliage in full sun. Colocasia esculenta, or Black Colocasia, is a small plant growing between 2-5 feet tall, and is native to South America. It is perfect for adding an unusual color and ornamental foliage to any outdoor space. Its leaves are heart shaped and large, up to 20 inches long, and are matt black with purple leaf stalks. It is a great choice for use in a bog or aquatic environment, and is tolerant to floods. It is adaptable to both full sun and semi-shade, and will survive temperatures as cold as the mid-20s F for a short time, making it great for growing in USDA Zones 8-10.

To get the most out of Black Colocasia, it's best to grow it in a rich, fertile and moisture retentive soil. It will thrive in a sunny spot, however if it's in the shade, the leaves tend to turn dark green. It is also available as a varietal sport, such as 'Mojito', which boasts incredible contrasting blacks and greens and light green stems streaked with dark purple. This cultivar is more compact than regular Colocasia, making it an excellent choice for a large container.

To get the best and most dramatic results, it is important to provide plenty of moisture and high nutrition for this plant and ensure it is planted in a spot where it can receive full sun each day. With proper growing and plant care in pots, colder climates can enjoy the bold foliage of Black Colocasia all year round.

Colocasia 'White Lava' is similar to Colocasia 'Nancy's Revenge' but 'White Lava' produces glossy red petioles whereas 'Nancy's Revenge' has green petioles.

Very popular collectible hybrid. Purple and green camouflaged leaves with a lime green stem. The colors tend to be most vivid when sited in partial shade.

This plant will grow well in large containers or in the ground as long as consistent moisture is available. In the ground, the leaves can grow a whopping 2ft long by 18in wide and the plant can reach 6ft tall. This plant will also grow in shallow water.

The leaves of 'White Lava' have striking variegation with bright white centers that contrast beautifully with the dark green edges.

New leaves often emerge with a lighter green hue that deepens as they mature, providing dynamic color changes throughout the growing season.

Colocasia sp. (Elephant Ear) is a native plant to Polynesia and southeastern Asia. It is a large shrub, growing anywhere between 5 and 10 feet tall, although there are also smaller varieties as short as 2 to 5 feet in height. It prefers to grow in full sun or semi-shade, making it especially suited to bog or aquatic habitats, requiring regular watering to thrive.

The plant is known and grown primarily for its ornamental foliage, with the large elephant ear-shaped leaves providing a spectacular display. Although it is not cold hardy, the mature plant can tolerate temperatures in the low 30s Fahrenheit for a brief period of time. It is also extremely flood tolerant, being able to survive underwater for up to three months at a time.

In USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, Colocasia sp. can be grown outside with minimal effort and care. In areas with a colder climate, the plant needs to be grown in a pot and protected from freezing temperatures during winter. During the growing season, it needs plenty of sunlight and water; it is not drought tolerant, and will wilt if not properly watered. If growing the plant in a container, use an appropriate sized pot filled with potting soil, and ensure that the soil is properly drained.

Colocasia sp. (Elephant Ear) is a low maintenance plant that provides a spectacular display in the summer and is a popular choice for gardeners in warm climates. In cooler regions, it requires some extra care and attention to ensure the plant's survival during cold winter months.

Alocasia macrorrhizos is similar to other large-leafed arums such as the Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Peltrandra spp., and Colocasia esculenta, often called Taro. Alocasia macrorrhiza differs from the others in having an upright stem and holding its leaves upright, and in several technical characteristics that mean a lot to the botanists. Numerous hybrids have been produced from among the various Elephant Ear species, and it's not always possible to identify particular specimens.

It produced insignificant but fragrant white flowers on a sradix enclosed in a leaf-like, yellow-green spathe.

Giant taro is cultivated throughout the tropics for its edible rhizomes and shoots.

Alocasias require continual warmth and humidity. The soil should be rich but well drained, and the plant appreciates frequent watering (daily in hot weather), especially as if grows larger. Note however, that when the plant is young and small, too much water (particularly if the weather is cold) will rot the tuber, so be careful not to overdo it.

Bright light is preferred, but it will do well in anything up to 80 percent shade. Leaves tend to grow larger in shadier positions. Full sun is usually not preferred and may discolor the leaves, although it will usually cope with a bit of full sun provided it can get enough water.