Stop for a few minutes if the water begins to run off before the root zone is saturated. A roomy spot under a tree is perfect! Taro leaves tear and shred when exposed to strong winds. Elephant's Ear. Colocasia esculenta is a tropical plant grown primarily for its edible corms, a root vegetable most commonly known as taro (/ ˈ t ɑː r oʊ, ˈ t æ r oʊ /), or kalo (see §Names and etymology for an extensive list). It comes in a wide range of varieties and does well at a spot that receives bright light all day long. General description: Large ornamentals grown for their huge heart-shaped leaves. Also, elephant ear houseplants should be elevated slightly with a layer of rocks or pebbles between the pot and the saucer. Botanical Name: Colocasia esculenta. Growing the Elephant Ear Plant - Colocasia delivers a bold tropical look to any landscape setting, excellent as … Colocasia esculenta grow and care – leaf plant geophyte of the genus Colocasia also known as Taro, Colocasia esculenta perennial evergreen or deciduous plant used as edible and also used as ornamental plant, can grow in tropic, temperate, mediterranean, subtropical climate or as houseplant and growing in hardiness zone 8+.. Leaves edible, color can be: green or purple in heart shape. It is known as the “black elephant ear plant” or taro. Taro, Colocasia esculenta, is a tropical plant grown primarily as a vegetable food for its edible corm, and secondarily as a leaf vegetable. Taro Colocasia esculenta prefers partial shade or dappled sunlight. Australian taro research 4. Taro Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center and Pacific Islands West Area Office 3. Monitor container-grown plants closely, especially on hot days. There are six species of Colocasia plants. Move container-grown plants into a frost-free area for winter storage in areas that experience freezing winter temperatures. Taro is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 through 11. Bulbs can be dug and stored in cold winter climates to be replanted again the next year. Easy Care. Growing Elephant Ear Plants Garden Plants Container Gardening Colocasia Green Thumb Perennials Plants Gardening Tips Elephant Ear Plant. These impressive ornamental specimens grow outside in sheltered location in USDA zones 8-11. 1 Locate colocasia where the soil is moist. You may identify species from this genus by their large leaves which point downwards. How to Care for Colocasia. Colocasia are great tropical plants suited to be grown as annuals in cold winter climates and perennials in warm winter climates. During the winter, it is best potted up and kept indoors, keeping it dry and frost-free. The fertilizer you use should be high in nitrogen and potassium. Colocasia esculenta- Black Magic Colocasia esculenta ‘black magic’ and other species. Choose a site to situate the indoor elephant ear plant that is in indirect sunlight. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Sunset Western Garden Book; Sunset Editors, The Gardener's A-Z Guide to Growing Flowers from Seed to Bloom; Eileen Powell. learn more Colocasia Esculenta (Jack's Giant) learn more Ele Paio a.k.a. How to Move Narcissus Bulbs From Inside to Outside, Missouri Botanical Garden: Colocasia Esculenta. It also makes a wild addition to floral arrangements. Colocasia esculenta is suitable for growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 to 10. 2.8k. Pic #4: Colocasia Black Beauty (Growing withing 2 feet of wooden privacy fence.) How To Grow Elephant Ears Plant; love mine and now I know what to do with it over the winter! The plant itself reaches heights of between 3 and 5 feet (.9-1.5 m.) tall and for this reason is usually grown as an outdoor specimen; however, it is possible to grow elephant ears indoors. In the chillier northern areas, elephant ear is treated as an annual wherein the bulbs or tubers of the plant are dug up and stored through the winter and then replanted in the spring. ‘Black Stem’ which as its name suggests has black stems with burgundy-black veins on green foliage. It comes in a wide range of varieties and does well at a spot that receives bright light all day long. Use soil that is rich, adding fertilizer if necessary; taro is a heavy feeder. Colocasia plants (also referred to as taro plants) are native to hot and humid areas of southeast Asia; their leaves have the traditional elephant ear shape that grows up from a long stem, unwinding itself and then pointing toward the ground once it has its full shape. Colocasia are grown for the foliage,and both indoors and outdoors they are one of the most sought after plants for decorative foliage. Colocasia esculenta 'Pink China' Original:Superb tropical plant This Colocasia hybrid, one of the hardiest, has bright pink stems topped with matte green leaves and forms a spectacular clump. For those who love bold tropical effects,”Black Colocasia esculenta” gives plenty to … This elephant ear is a lover of moist shade, but does best with a little dappled sunlight. Genus Colocasia can be deciduous or evergreen, tuberous-rooted perennials with arrow-shaped or rounded leaves, often prominently veined; flowers are minute, on a spadix held within a small white spathe, but are seldom produced in cultivation . Easy Care. Water often enough to keep the soil moist at all times. Colocasia esculenta LOVE water. If the cultivar is a colocasia esculenta or an alocasia macrorrhzia then it will be a very large bulb which should be planted 10 inches deep in the soil with the roots down. In frost-free tropical and sub-tropical areas, these lush foliage plants grow year-round with minimal winter care. Colors of the foliage may be anywhere from purplish black, green or green/white variegated. ‘Illustris’ has green foliage marked with black and lime green and is a shorter varietal at 1-3 feet (.3-.9 m.). Feed taro in the ground lightly with a general-purpose fertilizer or shovelful of compost every month while the plant is actively growing. Details . Also, cut back on watering during this time and allow the soil to dry out slightly. The tuber should be planted so the joint is level with the soil line. Nutr 8(1): 64-74 (1999) Primarily grown for its spectacular foliage, Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' (Taro) is a tuberous, frost-tender perennial with large, heart-shaped, chartreuse green leaves flecked with deep purple to black. The care and effort it takes to overwinter elephant ears (Colocasia spp. Upland taro is the type grown in borders and containers and used as accent plants in home landscapes. Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii' This chic, black-stemmed elephant’s ear packs looks great in containers, beds, and borders. Colocasia can attain a good size, so you will want to be prepared. Winter Care for the Colocasia. Grows in Sun to Part Sun. Feeding the plant with 24-8-16 fertilizer every month or according to the product’s instructions is enough for healthy growth. The plants need a location with partial shade and moist or wet soil that is rich in organic matter. Taro plants grow quickly, so get ready for a wild summer! within the last decade. Colocasia esculenta, commonly called elephant's ear, taro or dashin, produces huge ruffled leaves of green or purple that stand on 3-foot stems. 504. Noonan SC, Savage GP, Oxalate Content of Foods and Effect on Humans, Asia Pac. A fertilization regime every two weeks with a 50 percent diluted 20-10-10 food is an integral part of houseplant care of Colocasia. Colocasia spp., commonly called taro or elephant ears, never fails to attract attention. Unlike the leaves of Alocasia which point skyward, the leaves of Colocasia droop and point toward the ground. Can tolerate soil moisture from average to wet. Elephant's Ear. At that time, propagation via tuber root division may occur. A fertilization regime every two weeks with a 50 percent diluted 20-10-10 food is an integral part of houseplant care of Colocasia. Plant elephant ear bulbs early, indoors, for larger garden plants. Sign up for our newsletter. ‘Lime Zinger’ has lovely chartreuse leaves and is quite tall at 5-6 feet (.6-1.8 m.). 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Colocasia (Elephant Ears) Colocasia is a tropical swampland native and a tuber. Plant Colocasia in mid-spring. The symptoms include burning and irritation of the mouth, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Primarily grown for its spectacular foliage, Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' (Taro) is a tuberous, frost-tender perennial with long-stalked, heart-shaped, smoky purplish-black leaves, up to 2 ft. long (60 cm). Indoor Garden Indoor Plants Outdoor Gardens Outdoor Light Fixtures Outdoor Lighting Hydroponic Gardening Organic Gardening Vegetable Gardening Hi Lights. Colocasia is a swamp plant that develops a hardy root system under the water. ‘Chicago Harlequin’grows 2-5 feet (.6-1.5 m.) tall with light/dark green foliage. It is easy to grow in the UK during the summer months when watered and keep moist. Site your plants where they will receive full sunlight, or light shade. Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii' This chic, black-stemmed elephant’s ear packs looks great in containers, beds, and borders. Colocasia can tolerate direct sun, but it will tend to sunburn although it may acclimate after a time; it will really do much better in indirect sun. Elephant Ear Plant: How To Care For Colocasia Esculenta. Colocasia, commonly known as elephant ear or taro, is a plant species that belongs to the Araceae family. The colocasia plant grows shield-like leaves up to 4 feet long and shaped like hearts, and it … It is often found growing along river banks and has a dormant period during the dry season in places like South Africa. Coffee Cups is a clumper. 20 Common Names: Taro, wild taro, dasheen Synonymy: Colocasia antiquorum var. learn more Elephant Ears. Whether you enjoy dabbling in indoor gardening or have an exotic-themed garden, you’ll love this amazing Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' and its striking, bold architectural foliage, commonly known as black Elephant Ears or Taro. Fertilizer. esculenta Schott, Caladium esculentum Hort. What you’re getting in this plant is decorative foliage, but not just your run-of-the-mill ornamental foliage. It will also flower if looked after. Grows in Sun to Part Sun. Flower Color is Yellow/Gold and blooms in Summer. Will survive most winters if well mulched. ‘Cranberry Taro’ has dark stems and grows 3-4 feet (.9-1.2 M.) high. ... With a minimum of care you will have it beautiful all year long , so go ahead and discover it. Taro is an excellent choice for landscaping pools and ponds. Colocasia Illustris and colocasia Bblack agic have a joint between the root system and the top growth. “Elephant ears” is the common name for a group of tropical perennial plants grown for their large, heart-shaped leaves. According to the Humane Society of American Colocasia plants can be toxic to pets. A mutation of ‘Illustris’, ‘Black Beauty’ is grown for its 2-foot-long, 1-foot-wide, dark purple leaves with green stems and green veins. Saved by Stacey Lynn. Colocasia esculenta- Black Magic Colocasia esculenta ‘black magic’ and other species. Although they can be left in the ground over winter in USDA zones as cool as 8, bulbs in containers are more sensitive to freezing conditions. It can also be grown for its immense, spectacular foliage, adding a little bit of the tropics to your conservatory or garden. They grow best in consistently moist soil. ... Royal Hawaiian ® 'Maui Gold' Elephant's Ear Colocasia esculenta. 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