About
Colocasia esculenta is a tuberous, evergreen perennial that can reach heights of up to 1.5 meters. It features long-stalked, heart or arrow-shaped leaves that are deep green, with blades measuring around 60 centimeters on stalks that can be a meter long. This plant is cultivated as a primary food source in tropical regions of Asia.
About the genus
Colocasia comprises tuberous-rooted perennials that may be deciduous or evergreen. The leaves are typically arrow-shaped or rounded and feature noticeable veining. While the flowers are small and borne on a spadix enclosed by a compact white spathe, they are rarely seen in cultivated settings.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, Architectural
- Native to
- Trop. E Asia
- Toxicity
- Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass, pot up tubers in peat-free potting compost. Keep in bright, filtered light and high humidity. Water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly when in growth. Keep just moist in winter. Keep tubers dry and frost-free when dormant. Requires 21 degrees minimum to stay evergreen
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by division in winter
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids and glasshouse whitefly
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free