Colocasia Esculenta
1 bulb for € 7.50
Colocasia esculenta also known as elephant ear or taro, is an impressive foliage plant that is becoming increasingly popular in Belgian and Dutch gardens. The plant stands out due to its large, decorative leaves and gives a tropical appearance to borders, ponds, and pots.
Colocasia esculenta is mainly used as a ornamental plant in gardens and on terraces. It looks best as a solitary, in groups, or at the edge of a pond. In warmer countries, the plant is also grown as a food crop (taro), but in Belgium and the Netherlands, this is done almost exclusively for decorative purposes. Attention: inedible and toxic if eaten raw due to irritating calcium oxalate crystals.
Colocasia esculenta loves warmth, sun to partial shade, and nutritious, moist soil. The plant grows best when the soil remains consistently lightly moist; drying out must be absolutely avoided. Regular watering is therefore essential, especially during hot summers.
Additionally, rich fertilization is important, as Colocasia is a fast grower and consumes a lot of nutrients. During the growing season (spring and summer), it can be fertilized weekly with a liquid fertilizer.
If the plant has become too large, prune the leaves and dig up the tuber. Almost always, smaller tubers and/or root runners have formed that you can pot separately to renew the plant.
The plant can be kept both in the ground and in a pot. Potted plants require extra attention regarding water and nutrition.
In Belgium and the Netherlands, Colocasia esculenta is moderately winter hardy. The the above-ground parts die off in frost, but the tuber can survive in the ground during mild winters (down to about -10°C with protection)..
However, the safest method is to:
- to dig it up and let the tuber overwinter frost-free, or
- to keep the plant in a pot and bring it indoors to a light, cool but frost-free place.
During the winter, the plant needs hardly any water.
Colocasia esculenta is a spectacular plant that grows excellently in Belgium and the Netherlands with the right care. It does require attention in terms of water, nutrition, and winter protection, but rewards this with an exotic appearance that few other plants can match.
Finally, the plants can also bloom, but that's not something to keep them for specifically.
Size: 13-15 inch