Consulta Plantas

Care of the indoor plant Colocasia esculenta or Taro

The genus Colocasia, family Araceae, includes about 25 species of flowering plants native to tropical Asia. Some species are: Colocasia esculenta, Colocasia gigantea, Colocasia affinis, Colocasia menglaensis.

Common names: Taro, Dasheen, Elephant Ears, Green Taro, Malanga. This species is native to Southeast Asia.

They are herbaceous plants with corms that reach 3 meters (9.84 feet) in height. The large, attractive, heart-shaped leaves are deep green, purple, or dark green and cream, depending on the variety. The flowers are not decorative but they do not usually bloom in pots. The corms are edible but the rest of the plant is toxic if eaten.

They are used in pots as indoor, greenhouse and terrace plants, next to watercourses, as isolated specimens, in undergrowth and to form groups.

The Colocasia esculenta needs shade or semi-shade exposure avoiding direct sun in the central hours of the day. It does not resist frost.

The soil can be a normal garden soil with organic matter. Planting is done in mid-spring.

Water frequently with lime-free water so that the substrate is always moist. They do not resist drought. It is important that the environmental humidity is medium-high.

Fertilize with organic matter at the end of winter.

Prune yellow or dry leaves in any season.

They are plants quite resistant to the usual pests and diseases.

They are propagated by division of the corms in spring.

Images of the indoor plant Colocasia esculenta or Taro