About
Colocasia esculenta 'Waikiki' (Royal Hawaiian Series) is a frost-sensitive, tuberous perennial that can reach heights of up to 1.5 meters. It features large, heart-shaped leaves that are glossy green, marked by bold pink and cream veins on deep burgundy stems. This plant serves well as both an indoor houseplant and an outdoor container specimen, provided it is placed in a frost-free, sheltered area.
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, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Houseplants, Patio and container plants
- Toxicity
- Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Plant tubers in a large pot of humus-rich compost in warm conditions in early spring. In early summer the pot can be positioned in a sunny or lightly shaded spot outdoors, with shelter from strong winds. Water freely when the plant comes into growth and apply a high nitrogen feed weekly. Either move the pot into a greenhouse or conservatory over winter, or lift the tuber and store it dry. See houseplant cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by division or by stem cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids and glasshouse whitefly
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free