Colocasia

( koll - uh - KAY - zee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Taro, Elephant's Ear, or Cocoyam, these tropical plants are native to southeastern Asia and India. These plants are cultivated in many areas of the world and have edible tuber roots. These tropical foliage plants have many applications, including as both outdoor and indoor ornamental plants as well as crops. Use Colocasia plants to add a dramatic, tropical effect to landscapes or as a mass planting. They also are commonly grown in water gardens or containers. Take care when planting Colocasia in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic (when raw). Contact with sap can also cause skin irritation; wear gloves when handling.

Colocasia Species and Varietals

The genus Colocasia includes 12 species, and is a member of the plant family Araceae. In general, Colocasia plants grow well in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 16-26, H1 and H2. They can be grown in any zone as an annual or indoor plant. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Colocasia antiquorum (Eddoe, Chinese Eddoe, Coco-Yam, Imperial Taro)
This species is closely related to Colocasia esculenta (Taro), and is sometimes included in that species as a varietal. These plants are cultivated for their edible storage roots and young leaves. These plants are also grown for their ornamental value, and are commonly kept as houseplants. This species is considered invasive in the Southeastern United States. There are many cultivars of this species, including:

'Coal Miner'

'Hawaiian Punch'

'Illustris'

'Mojito'

Colocasia esculenta (Taro, Elephant Ear, Coco-Yam, Dasheen)
This root vegetable is the most widely cultivated in its plant family (Araceae), and is believed to be one of the earliest intentionally cultivated plants in the world. Taro is native to southern India and southeast Asia. There are many different names for these plants depending on the region of the world they are grown in. Leaves are green and very large, sprouting from a basal rhizome. This species is known to be invasive in many areas of the world, including the southeastern United States, Hawai'i, Puerto Rico, Europe, Central and South America, and Australia.

Colocasia fallax (Silver Leaf Dwarf Elephant Ear, Dwarf Taro)
These plants are native to the Indian subcontinent, China, and southeast Asia. This perennial plant is considered a 'spreader', and is commonly cultivated as a houseplant. This species prefers moist soil and humid conditions, and loves growing along banks of ponds and other bodies of water. Its native habitats include dense forests, valley scrublands, and moist stream banks.

Colocasia gigantea (Leucocasia gigantea) (Giant Elephant Ear, Indian Taro)
This plant is considered a sister species of Colocasia esculenta, and produces thick, large green leaves. The roots, leaves and stalks of this plant are commonly eaten. A widely grown variety is 'Thailand Giant', which grows to reach 7-10 feet tall and produces leaves 4-6 feet in length.

Caring for colocasia

Take care when planting Colocasia in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic (when raw). Contact with sap can also cause skin irritation; wear gloves when handling. Colocasia plants can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 and do best indoors in all other growing zones. Plant in a space in the landscape that receives partial sun; ideally, they appreciate morning sun and afternoon shade. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. Colocasia plants typically live for between 5 and 10 years in the garden before needing to be replaced, and can survive indefinitely if allowed to form stands and spread.

Caring for Colocasia Indoors
Colocasia should be planted in a container that is a few inches larger and deeper than the nursery pot. Containers with pebble trays underneath can increase humidity. The best potting mix for Colocasia plants is a light blend of finely ground pine bark, sand, and perlite or vermiculite. Water Colocasia regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, lessening waterings during the winter months when plants are dormant. Every few years, these plants may need to be repotted depending on their growth rate. Check the bottom of containers to see if roots are growing through; this is a good indicator the plant should be potted up to the next size.

Harvesting Colocasia (Dasheen, Coco-Yam)
Take care to cook Colocasia roots before consuming; raw roots contain calcium oxalate that can irritate the throat and mouth. Wear gloves when handling. Colocasia plants produce edible roots that are cultivated in many areas of the globe. The roots are mildly sweet with nutty undertones and a vanilla-like flavor. They are starchy like Potatoes, but with a slightly creamier, gummier texture. They are typically roasted or fried, which brings out a rich, caramelized flavor profile. These roots are often paired with coconut for desserts or savory dishes. Mature roots are harvested in fall, between 7 and 12 months after planting. About a month before harvesting, mound soil up around the base of the plant to discourage new sprouts from forming and withhold water to hasten maturity. A good indicator to harvest is when above-ground foliage begins to yellow and die back. The main corm will begin to push its shoulders up out of the soil and become visible. To harvest Colocasia, gently work your way in from the exterior of the plant with a garden fork or other tool, being careful to not damage the roots. Once they have been lifted out of the ground, brush off any dirt or debris. They can then be brought in and rinsed. To store harvested Dasheen (Taro), keep the fresh corms in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space for short-term use. For longer-term storage, peel, clean, chop, and then blanch or cook them. After they have cooled, they can be stored in the freezer.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Colocasia plants are best propagated through division of existing corms. To propagate your Elephant's Ear plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Colocasia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need gloves, a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance, especially if these plants are grown in containers or cramped spaces of the landscape. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked the plant up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Problems and Pests

Certain species of Colocasia are considered invasive; see the species descriptions above for more information. Although not all species are formally labeled as invasive, they are generally considered troublesome in warm, wet areas, forming dense stands that outcompete native plants in wetlands, swamps, and riverbanks. Check with local authorities before planting. Colocasia plants are susceptible to the following issues and pests: