Taro
Colocasia esculenta · Araceae
📷 Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0
⚠️ Feuilles et bulbes contiennent cristaux d'oxalate ; ingestion provoque irritation buccale et troubles digestifs chez chiens, chats et enfants.
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant taro: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Araceae
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- May to June
- Adult height
- Up to 200 cm
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Non-hardy (tropical to subtropical climate)
- Origin
- Southeast Asia
- Edible parts
- Tubers and leaves (after cooking)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Subtropical colocasia requires warmth (minimum 10°C), very high humidity, and very rich soil. Daily watering in summer (soft water).
The common mistake
Planting too early or underwatering leads to slow recovery and small tubers.
The pro's trick
Plant in late May on soil pre-covered with black mulch for 3 weeks (warms it up); pre-sprouted tuber seeds indoors in March speeds everything up.
Seasonal watch
September-October: watch for spider mites (pale leaves with fine stippling) in dry climates; regular spraying with water + soap.
Care
Watering
Colocasia needs regular and abundant watering: keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Increase watering frequency during active growing season (spring-summer). Reduce watering in fall-winter when the plant slows down. Preferably use non-limey or rainwater.
Light exposure
Place colocasia in partial shade or filtered indirect light. It can tolerate brighter exposure if the soil stays moist. Avoid overly dark areas that slow growth. A location protected from strong winds is preferable to preserve the large leaves.
Soil
Prepare rich, well-draining and slightly acidic substrate. A mix of potting soil, compost and peat works well. Colocasia appreciates fertile and fresh soil. Improve drainage with sand or perlite if needed.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks during growth period (April to September). Use tropical plant or foliage fertilizer if possible. Stop feeding in fall-winter. An application of well-decomposed compost in spring also naturally enriches the soil.
Pruning and cleaning
No strict pruning is necessary. Remove dead or damaged leaves as soon as they appear to encourage vigor. You can harvest a few outer leaves if you're also growing them for consumption. Clean the foliage regularly with a damp cloth.
Diseases and pests
Watch for red spider mites and mealybugs, especially indoors. Overly dry air favors spider mites; humidify the environment. Tuber rot occurs with persistent excess water. Ensure optimal drainage and aerate the substrate well.
Did you know?
Colocasia has been cultivated for over 7,000 years in Southeast Asia and was one of the first domesticated plants. Its starchy tubers, rich in starch, have nourished entire civilizations and remain a staple food in many tropical cuisines. Interestingly: although the leaves contain irritating calcium oxalate crystals, prolonged cooking neutralizes them completely, making the entire plant fully edible.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Calla lilyZantedeschia aethiopica
- Giant taroAlocasia macrorrhizos
- Tree PhilodendronThaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum
- Anthurium roseumAnthurium roseum
- Anthurium albumAnthurium album
- ZZ plantZamioculcas zamiifolia
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.